Keith Hearit

Photo of Keith Hearit
Keith M. Hearit
Professor of Communication
Office: 
(269) 387-0034
Fax: 
(269) 387-3990
Location: 
Room 315 Sprau Tower, Mail Stop 5318
Mailing address: 
School of Communication
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5318 USA
Office hours: 

Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Education: 
  • Ph.D., Public Affairs and Issue Management, Purdue University, 1992
  • M.A., Interpersonal and Public Communication, Central Michigan University, 1988
  • B.A., Interpersonal and Public Communication, Central Michigan University, 1986
Research interests: 
  • Crisis Communication
  • Apologia
  • Public Relations
Bio: 

Keith M. Hearit (Ph.D., Purdue University), a 2013 American Council on Education Fellow, is a Professor in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. A leading expert in the field of crisis management, Dr. Hearit specializes in how individuals and institutions respond communicatively to atypical situations, particularly those of their own creation. In addition to authoring Crisis management by apology: Corporate response to allegations of wrongdoing 2006), Dr. Hearit is also the author of over twenty journal articles and book chapters. His work has been referenced in The New York Times, USA Today, and National Public Radio, along with other regional and national publications.