Scholarship and Biography
Since interning as an undergraduate for a Worcester Mass. shelter and counseling program for survivors of domestic violence, Deirdre Hunter has been involved in numerous organized efforts to prevent and respond to violence in our relationships, families and communities. She spent seven years working full-time for grass roots sexual assault and domestic violence organizations and over twenty years as a volunteer in counseling, advocacy and board roles. Since 1996 she has turned her interests toward guiding undergraduate students interested in this work and has refined her contacts with local organizations willing to sponsor interns interested in prevention, direct service, advocacy and policy.
In addition to her work at Brandeis, Ms. Hunter is Senior Vice President at JRI Developing Abilities, whose mission is to open the doors of opportunity to those who face barriers due to intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ms. Hunter’s division provides a range of day and residential supports for about 400 people in Mass. Ms. Hunter has a Master's degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.