Section Title

Assistant Professor

B.A., The University of Findlay; M.Div., Winebrenner Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Duquesne University

Department of Theatre, Communication, and Fine Arts

Dr. Sleasman is Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre, Communication, and Fine Arts. Prior to coming to Gannon University in 2008, he taught at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Originally from Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania, Dr. Sleasman currently lives in Erie with his wife and daughter.

In addition to his teaching experience, Dr. Sleasman has served as a youth pastor, church planter, and pastor of a small congregation in Beaver County, PA.

The best way to discover if a particular campus is right for you is to plan an on-site visit. When you find a college or university that really interests you, make sure you schedule a campus visit or attend an Open House to meet with faculty, sit in on a class, and talk with current students. This will help you decide if the campus "feels" right for you.

I like that Gannon University is in the middle of downtown Erie. While Erie is a smaller city than Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo, it has all the elements that makes a city something special.

I always enjoy watching the students who overcome their own fears to become effective speakers during the semester. Many students are nervous and shy on the first day of class. By the end of the semester most students have learned how to share their beliefs through the in-class assignments and activities. I’m always rooting for students to succeed.

I truly enjoy teaching the basic public speaking course, called Fundamentals of Speech at Gannon University. In addition to watching students learn the theory of effective public speaking, I enjoy learning the interests and ideas of my students as presented through their speeches.

My current research interests include the theory of effective public speaking, communication ethics, and the philosophy of communication.

I've presented academic papers at the conventions of the Eastern Communication Association and the Pennsylvania Communication Association as well as the annual conference sponsored by the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture and the bi-annual National Communication Ethics conference sponsored by the Communication Ethics Division of the National Communication Association. I am currently completing a book manuscript that explores the work of twentieth century French author Albert Camus in relation to the study of communication ethics.

sleasman001@gannon.edu