John Seiter

John Seiter is a Distinguished Professor of Communication Studies at Utah State University (USU), affiliated with the Department of Communication Studies and Philosophy within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He joined USU in 1994 and has been recognized for his exceptional contributions with awards such as the Cazier Lifetime Achievement Award and CHaSS Distinguished Professor title.

He earned a Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Fullerton, and a B.A. in Speech Communication and Psychology from the same institution. His research focuses on persuasion, nonverbal communication in political contexts, health communication, and hospitality service dynamics.

Seiter’s work has led to over ten “Top Paper” awards and notable publications like Persuasion, Social Influence, and Compliance Gaining (8th ed.), as well as co-authored books on nonverbal communication in political debates and argumentation. His teaching spans courses like Persuasion, Theories of Communication, and Advanced Persuasion, praised for innovative methods and student engagement.

His research explores topics such as pandemic-related behavioral changes, service recovery in hospitality, deception detection, and the intersection of communication and health. He sits on editorial boards for communication journals and has mentored numerous students, contributing to the growth of USU’s Communication Studies program from its early stages.

• Awards: Cazier Lifetime Achievement Award, CHaSS Distinguished Professor, USU Professor of the Year, and Researcher of the Year.
• Grants/Advising: Active in mentoring and curriculum development; his research has been supported through institutional and collaborative initiatives.

Seiter’s impact extends beyond academia through community engagement and interdisciplinary projects, reflecting his commitment to both scholarship and pedagogy.