Thomas J. Roach, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Phone: (219)989-2508
Fax: (219)989-2008

Biography

Dr. Roach has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and English and Master of Arts degree in English from Northern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University. His dissertation on the American news media received a national Dissertation of the Year Award from the Speech Communication Association in 1994.

Dr. Roach was an assistant editor for Star Publications and managing editor of the Romeoville-Bolingbrook Beacon. He served as Media Coordinator of Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet and Corporate Director of Internal Communication for Carson Pirie Scott. Today he is president of Thomas Roach and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in public opinion research, news media strategies, advertising, and employee communication. Former clients include Amoco and the Ford Motor Company. He served as message strategist on several political campaigns, including two congressional races.

Courses Taught
COM 114 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COM 253 Introduction to Public Relations
COM 255 Introduction to News Writing and Editing
COM 319 The Rhetorical Tradition
COM 325 Interviewing Principles and Practices
COM 353 Problems in Public Relations
COM 425 Rhetorical Criticism
COM 460 Advanced Public Relations
COM 517 Communication in Politics
COM 521 Theories of Rhetoric
COM 525 Advanced Interviewing