by Alex Brody
CCPA Fellow
This summer, we say goodbye to one of our favorite professors, Dr. LaShonda Eaddy. Professor Eaddy has been with us since Fall 2017 as an assistant professor of public relations and strategic communication. She has taught both the crisis management and principles of public relations courses in her time at SMU.
Professor Eaddy shared some of her favorite memories and experiences during her time at SMU. She loves the beautiful campus, there being so much time and effort put into it to make it pleasant. She acknowledged that her students are top-notch and hard workers. She said one of her favorite things was seeing her students grow and progress during their time at SMU.
Professor Eaddy’s most memorable experience at SMU occurred in the Spring of 2019. In her crisis management class, their big project was a crisis management plan for a client due at the end of the semester. Midway through the semester, the class changed to adopting Toyota as their client for the class. Professor Eaddy believed this was a great opportunity for the students to work with a large corporation.
The students proposed their campaigns at the Toyota HQ in Plano, TX. Professor Eaddy almost cried after those presentations because of the hard work they had done. Professor Eaddy said It is always great to see what the students retain in their teaching and apply that to real-world experiences.
Professor Eaddy left us with some great advice for CCPA students. First, she said that expectations are high, but all CCPA students have the potential to exceed them. Professors recognize the greatness and potential for students and want them to succeed with the opportunities they are given. At SMU CCPA, you are being prepared not just for your first job, but for your third or fourth position to be a leader in your industry.
Second, Professor Eaddy said to use the network at SMU. Specifically, she mentioned using the great advisory board at SMU, they have shown their commitment to the CCPA department and commitment to the growth of the students here. SMU is a really big draw, the connection, and network. Take advantage of it!
Professor Eaddy wants her students to stay in touch with her. She loves hearing from students: what they are doing and where they are. Below are the best ways to stay in contact with her:
Email: lashondaeaddy@icloud.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lashondaeaddy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashonda-eaddy-ph-d-apr-12a1b03/
We at CCPA thank Professor Eaddy for her years of service at SMU and wish her the best of luck at Penn State.
- Frightening Foods: The Haunted Restaurants of Texas - 10/26/2022
- Ghastly Ghouls and Spooky Specters: Hauntings in Texas Part III - 06/23/2022
- Cringy and Corny: The Best Guilty Pleasure Movies - 05/09/2022
What a loss for SMU! Dr. Lashonda Eaddy was a fantastic addition to the staff four years ago and I hate to see her go. I enjoyed getting to know her at the CCPA Advisory Board Meetings, as well as through the Institute for Public Relations, and was impressed with her brilliance and warmth. Penn State is lucky to have her now.
Lashonda, South Carolina is very close to where I live in North Georgia. Maybe we can get together once you are settled!