Biography
Dr. Robert Hoffman has been a valued member of Penn State Abington’s Arts & Humanities division for nearly 20 years. In addition to teaching a diverse set of communications courses (Public Speaking, Organizational Communication, Sport Communication, and Media & Society, Dr. Hoffman has served in a variety of roles at both the University level, (e.g., Faculty Senator, Academic Integrity Committee) and at the Abington Campus Level (e.g., Arts & Humanities Division, Academic Environment and Ad Hoc Faculty Experience Committees, Enactus Lead Advisor). He earned his Ph. D. in Sport Management from Troy University in 2025 and his research on athletes’ image repair and the use of patriarchal and paternalistic language in sport has been published in refereed journals, such as the International Journal of Sport Communication and Communication and Sport respectively. Dr. Hoffman currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
Teaching Interests and courses taught:
Effective Speech (CAS 100, PSU)
Organizational Communications (CAS 352, PSU)
Media and Society
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Business Communication
Public Speaking
English Grammar
English Research and Writing
Selected awards, grants, patents, and other honors:
Nominated as Outstanding Teacher of the Year (non-tenure track) (2009-2010)
Nominated as Outstanding Advisor/Mentor of the Year (2009-2010)
Publications
Hoffman, R. M., & Corr, C. Sellars, N., Atwater, C. (in press). The Mulkey Method: An Explorative Analysis of the Efficacy of Preemptive Image Repair. International Journal of Sport Communication.
Corr, C., & Hoffman, R. (2025). Big Games, Little Voices: Patriarchy and Power at SEC Football Media Days. Communication & Sport. https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795251391153
Hoffman, R.M., Corr, C., Atwater, C., & Fanelli, S. (2025). Loser Language: Examining National Basketball Association Players' Image Repair Following a Loss. International Journal of Sport Communication, 18(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2025-0002
Hoffman, R. M., & Corr, C. (2023). A Case-Study Examination of the Apologia and Antapologia of U.S. Track and Field Athlete Shelby Houlihan. International Journal of Sport Communication, 17(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2023-0233
Education
Ph.D. Sport Management, Troy University, Troy, AL
M.A. Professional Communications, LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA
B.A. Mass Communications, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA