Stephanie A. Smith Virginia Tech University, USA
Stephanie A. Smith, Ph.D., APR, is a professor, scholar, and accredited public relations professional whose work examines the intersection of communication, reputation, technology, and the changing workplace. She is a Full Professor in the School of Communication at Virginia Tech, where she has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring the next generation of public relations professionals.
An Accredited Public Relations (APR) practitioner, Smith brings extensive experience in both the practice and teaching of strategic communication. She has held numerous leadership roles within the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), including service at the chapter, district, and national levels, and has been recognized with multiple PRSA awards for her contributions to the profession. Her commitment to bridging the classroom and the profession has shaped her approach to public relations education, emphasizing strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, effective writing, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving media environment.
Smith’s research explores issues central to contemporary public relations practice, including reputation management, employee communication, talent acquisition, social media, artificial intelligence, and digital identity. She is the author or editor of several books related to communication, technology, and reputation, including Talent Acquisition and AI and forthcoming works focused on reputation management and personal branding.
Across her teaching, scholarship, and consulting, Smith focuses on helping individuals and organizations communicate with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Her work reflects a central belief of public relations: strong writing is not simply about producing messages, but about understanding audiences, building relationships, and creating meaningful connections.
