Dr. Pete Smudde
Professor
School of Communication
Office
FEL Fell Hall 430
Office Hours
Spring 2020 office hours: MWF 1-3 p.m. and TR 1-2 p.m.
Office Phone
Email
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Research
Biography
My career path did not follow that of a traditional academic. I have 38 years of experience (16 of them in industry), during which I completed master's and doctoral degrees. In 2002 I entered academia full time. I'm also accredited in public relations (APR) through the PRSA. This path has been a great asset to me in my consulting, research, leading students in their studies, and serving the university, the field and beyond.
Current Courses
COM 356.001 Executive Speechwriting
COM 181.001 Public Relations Ethics
COM 181.002 Public Relations Ethics
COM 378.001 Public Relations Management And Research
COM 455.036 Research Practicum
COM 373.001 Internal Public Relations
COM 478.001 Seminar In Public Relations Research: Case Studies
COM 402.001 Seminar in Rhetorical Communication Research Methods
Teaching Interests & Areas
My teaching focuses on public relations courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The courses would involve everything from the introductory course to writing to strategy to research/scholarship. In all my courses I like to connect the dots between theory and practice because they inform and rely on each other. Also, in the design of my courses, I apply many of the practices and demands of "real world" public relations so students can become prepared for how they will be managed in their jobs.
Research Interests & Areas
I am most interested in several areas of study in public relations, all based on his unique combination of industry and academic experiences. First, I study public relations as an essential part of corporate strategy, including performance management. Second, I examine corporate message design, especially in cases of managing corporate reputations. Third, I am interested in internal public relations (a.k.a. "employee relations" or "internal communication"), especially leadership and management matters that link to internal PR. Fourth, I explore pedagogical approaches to public relations that meet academic and industry demands. Finally, I also investigate spirituality in the workplace, and I target selected topics that can involve PR as evangelization. Specific orientations for my work have included, for example, Kenneth Burke, Michel Foucault, Karl Weick, and perspectives and principles from the fields of linguistics, semiotics, composition studies, and business management. I favor the methodologies of rhetorical criticism, ethnography, and discourse analysis, and I am comfortable working with other approaches that are qualitative or quantitative.
Ph D Communication & Rhetoric Theory
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
MS Writing
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
BA Philosophy & English
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Other Math & Science
William Rainey Harper College
Paletine, Illinois
PRIDE Contribution to Public Relations Education Award for Innovation, Development, and Educational Achievement in Public Relations
National Communication Association, Public Relations Divison
2015
Leadership Initiative, 2015-2016 Cohort
Illinois State University/Provost
2015
Outstanding University Researcher Award
Illinois State University
2014
Outstanding Researcher Award, Humanities
Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences
2014
Jamie Comstock Mentorship Award
Illinois State University, School of Communication
2013
Janice Witherspoon Neuleib Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement of the Year by a Tenured Faculty Member
Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences
2012
Registered Student Organization Adviser of the Year
Illinois State University, Dean of Students
2012
Outstanding Researcher Award
Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences
2011
Excellence Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement by a Pre-tenured Faculty Member
Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences
2011
Excellence in Service Award
Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences
2010
Jamie Comstock Mentorship Award
Illinois State University, School of Communication
2010
Excellence Award in Research
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, College of Arts and Sciences
2007
Excellence Award in Service
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, College of Arts and Sciences
2006
Excellence Award in Research
u
2005
Gold Quill Awards
International Association for Business Communication
2000
Award of Honor
International Association for Business Communication
1997
Silver Quill Award of Excellence
International Association for Business Communication
1997
Award of Excellence
International Association for Business Communication
1995
Award of Honor
International Association for Business Communication
1995
Bronze Winner
International ARC Awards
1995
Award of Excellence
International Association for Business Communication
1994
Gold Winner
International ARC Awards
1994
Award of Merit
Public Relations Society of America
1993
Certificate of Achievement
Society for Technical Communication
1993
Award of Merit
Society for Technical Communication
1991
Grants & Contracts
Assessment Initiative Award. University Assessment Services. Illinois State University. (2016)
Book Review
Smudde, P. Concerning the epistemology and ontology of public relations literature. Review of Communication 4.3-4 (2004): 163-175.
Smudde, P. Cal Swann's Language and Typography. Visible Language 25.4 (1992): 416-420.
Book, Authored
, P. Faithful careers: Integrating the Catholic faith and work. (2021)
Smudde, P., & Courtright, J. Inspiring cooperation & celebrating organizations: Genres, message design & strategy in public relations. Hampton Press (2012)
Smudde, P. Public relations as dramatistic organizing: A case study bridging theory and practice. Hampton Press (2011)
Smudde, P. Humanistic critique of education: Teaching and learning as symbolic action. Parlor Press (2010)
Courtright, J., & Smudde, P. Power and public relations. Hampton Press (2007)
Book, Chapter
Smudde, P. M. (in press). Public relations pros and journalists: A symbiotic, dyadic relationship. In M. Huglen (Ed.), Interpersonal Communication in Multiple Contexts: Representative Anecdotes. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.
Smudde, P. M., & Courtright, J. L. (in press). Strategic message design defined: A call for focused organizational rhetoric and communication. In Ø. Ihlen & R. L. Heath (Eds.), Handbook of organizational rhetoric and communication. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Lambeau Field: Stadium-cathedral for the Green Bay Packers & American football. In M. Huglen & D. Johannesen, Eds., Iconic sports venues: Persuasion in public spaces (pp. 121-129). New York: Peter Lang.
Carden, A. R., & Smudde, P. M. (2015). Using your teaching portfolio for career advancement. In B. D. Neff & T. L. Johnson (Eds.), Learning to teach: What you need to know to develop a successful career as a public relations educator (4th ed.). New York: Public Relations Society of America.
Smudde, P., & Courtright, J. Mass media writing in the public relations major. J. P. McHale (EDs), Multimodal media writing: Readings of crafting convergent media messages (Chapter 10, pp. 1-3). Kendall-Hunt (2013)
Zompetti, J., Moore, M., Smudde, P., & Hunt, S. The right to peaceable assembly and social movements: The role of “occupying” space as a way to speak. Nancy S. Lind & Erik T. Rankin (EDs), First Amendment Rights: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, LLC (2013): 237-256.
Smudde, P., & Courtright, J. Public relations and power. R. L. Heath (EDs), The SAGE handbook of public relations. Sage (2010): 177-189.
Smudde, P. The education of citizen critics: The consubstantiality of Burke’s philosophy and constructivist pedagogy. P. M. Smudde (EDs), Humanistic critique of education: Teaching and learning as symbolic action. Parlor Press (2010): 92-114.
Smudde, P. The “logological organizing” of corporate discourse: A Burkean case-study analysis.. J. Selzer & R. Wess (EDs), Kenneth Burke and his circles. Parlor Press (2008): 149-160.
Courtright, J., & Smudde, P. “Problems” of power in public relations theory and practice. J. L. Courtright & P. M. Smudde (EDs), Power and public relations. Hampton Press (2007): 1-7.
Smudde, P., & Courtright, J. Problems as opportunities—the power and promise of public relations.. J. L. Courtright & P. M. Smudde (EDs), Power and public relations. Hampton Press (2007): 267-273.
Smudde, P. Public relations’ power as based on knowledge, discourse, and ethics. J. L. Courtright & P. M. Smudde (EDs), Power and public relations. Hampton Press (2007): 207-238.
Conference Proceeding
Smudde, P. M. (2015). Designing a course about internal communication. In. D. L. Remund (Ed.), PRSA Educators Academy 2015 Proceedings. Available at http://www.prsa.org/Network/Communities/EducatorsAcademy/Programming/EAProceedings/#.VmcHd3arTRZ
Smudde, P. Corporate Performance Rhetoric: Essential Balance for Effective Internal Public Relations. K. Yamamura (EDs), 13th International Public Relations Research Conference: Research that matters to the practice. Institute for Public Relations (2012)
Courtright, J., & Smudde, P. A genre perspective on public relations message design. K. Yamamura (EDs), 12th International Public Relations Research Conference: Research that matters to the practice. Institute for Public Relations (2009)
Smudde, P. Toward a virtual public relations world: An introduction to PR practice.. T. McCorkindale (EDs), PRSA Educators Academy 2009 Proceedings. Public Relations Society of America (2009)
Courtright, J., & Smudde, P. Recall communications: Message genre, symbolic charging, and message design. K. Yamamura (EDs), 11th International Public Relations Research Conference: Research that matters to the practice. Institute for Public Relations (2008)
Courtright, J., & Smudde, P. Leveraging organizational innovation for strategic reputation management.. 11th Anniversary Global RI Conference. Reputation Institute (2007)
Encyclopedia
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Feedback. In. C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of corporate reputation (Vol. 1, pp. 312-314). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Message design. In. C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of corporate reputation (Vol. 1, pp. 448-451). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Messages. In. C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of corporate reputation (Vol. 1, pp. 453-458). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Noise. In. C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of corporate reputation (Vol. 1, pp. 489-491). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smudde, P. M. (2016). Simulacra and simulations. In. C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of corporate reputation (Vol. 2, pp. 747-748). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smudde, P., & Courtright, J. Power and public relations. R. L. Heath & W. Donsbach (EDs), International encyclopedia of communication. Wiley-Blackwell (2010)
Textbook, New
Smudde, P. Managing public relations: Methods and tools for achieving solid results. Oxford University Press (2014): 356.
Presentations
Smudde, P. M. (2017, January 12). 2015-2016 Assessment Initiative Awards: Improving the student experience at the program level. Panel presentation at the annual Illinois State University Teaching & Learning Symposium in Normal, IL.
Courtright, J. L., & Smudde, P. M. (2015). Celebrating the green corporation or greenwashing it? An epideictic analysis of corporate sustainability reports. Paper presented at the biennial Conference on Communication and Environment, Boulder, CO.
The Incident: Not Just Another Organizational Disruption. National Communication Association. (2014)
Message design for managing corporate reputations: Form following function. Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association. (2012)
“Occupying” space as a way for social movements to speaking as founded in the right to peaceable assembly. Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association. National Communication Association. (2012)
Introduction to web 2.0: The promise & potential of social computing. ISU Katie School of Insurance & Financial Services Social Media Symposium. (2011)
Kenneth Burke & Education. Triennial Kenneth Burke Society Conference. (2011)
Social media, mobile media & new technologies in the classroom. Public Relations Society of America's International Conference. (2011)
Social networking & media in the workplace. ISU Honors Program. (2011)
iFad or teaching tool? Exploring the educational uses of the iPad in the School of Communication. Interactive panel discussion conducted at Illinois State University’s 11th Annual Teaching & Learning Symposium. Illinois State University Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. (2011)
iFad or teaching tool? Exploring the educational uses of the ipad in the School of Communication. Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology Symposium on Teaching and Learning. (2011)