Sandi Smith

University Distinguished Professors College of Communication Arts and Sciences

• University Distinguished Professor

• Communication

Bio

Sandi W. Smith, former director of the Health and Risk Communication Center and professor in the Department of Communication, focuses her research on health-related inquiries, such as the impact of memorable messages received from important figures on health behaviors and persuading people to carry signed and witnessed organ donor cards and discuss the decision of organ donation with their families. Her research has been funded by private foundations and governmental agencies.

Smith received her Ph.D. in communication from the University of Southern California. Her work has appeared in journals such as Communication Monographs, Human Communication Research, Health Communication, the Journal of Health Communication, Journal of Communication and the Journal of Applied Communication Research, among others. She is active in the International Communication Association where she served as chair of the Interpersonal Communication Division and was a member of the Board of Directors.

Throughout her years of teaching and research, Smith has received honors from student groups, professional associations and the universities at which she has worked. In 2007, she was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award at Michigan State University, and in 2012 she was named a fellow of the International Communication Association.