Leroy G. Dorsey

Dr. Leroy G. Dorsey is a Professor of Communication and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at The Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University. He holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University. His research focuses on presidential rhetoric, particularly analyzing how leaders like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama use symbolic discourse to shape national identity and public policy. His work emphasizes the role of mythic narratives in political communication, such as Roosevelt’s use of frontier mythology to redefine Americanism.

Key achievements include winning the 2008 NCA Marie Hochmuth Nichols Award for his book We Are All Americans, Pure and Simple: Theodore Roosevelt and the Myth of Americanism. His publications span journals like Rhetoric & Public Affairs and Quarterly Journal of Speech, exploring topics from conservation rhetoric to gender equality discourses. Courses taught include Political Communication, American Public Discourse, and Communication and Popular Culture.

Dr. Dorsey’s research trends highlight presidential leadership through rhetorical prudence, balancing inclusive national identity narratives with historical exclusionary practices. His work bridges rhetorical criticism with historical analysis, offering insights into how presidents craft public meaning through myth and symbolism.