Faculty and Staff

Jeannie Hunt – Director, Beehive Forensics Institute

Jeannie Hunt is currently the director of forensics at the University of Utah. Prior to coming to the U, Jeannie was the director of forensics at Northwest College and Kelly Walsh High School in Wyoming, and the Director of Debate at Declo High school in Idaho. She also directed the Northwest Forensics Institute in Powell, Wyoming. As a high school coach, she has worked with students that had competitive success at the local, regional, and national levels in policy debate, LD, PFD, extemporaneous speaking, interpretation events, and congressional debate, including winning multiple state titles, and coaching the Top Speaker in Policy Debate and the Poetry Champion at NFL nationals. On the collegiate level, Jeannie has coached multiple teams to first-round NPTE bids, NFA-LD Debate championship qualifications, and late elimination round appearances at NPDA nationals and the NPTE, including the NPDA National Champion and the NPTE Top Speaker. As a college competitor, Jeannie was an Academic All-American award recipient in CEDA Policy debate and won several national awards in individual events. In addition to her success in forensics, she has also presented her original research in the fields of education, feminism studies, and ruralism nationally.

Averie Vockel - Assistant Director - Beehive Forensics Institute

Averie Vockel has been with the John R. Park Debate Society for the past eight years. In her time with the U, Averie has been an undergraduate competitor and assistant coach.  As a coach, Averie has coached NFA-LD, NPDA, BP, and all collegiate individual events. Averie has coached multiple students to final round appearances at local and international tournaments and out-round appearances in After Dinner Speaking at the National Forensics Association national tournament. As a college competitor, Averie was an Academic All-American award recipient in NPDA parliamentary debate, recipient of the University of Utah Malcolm L. Sillars award for excellence in forensics, and won several awards in individual and debate events. In addition to her success in forensics, she has also presented her original research on forensics and other topics at the Western Communication Association’s regional conference and the National Communication Association’s national conference.

Other Staff TBD