Penn State Outreach is pleased to name Robert Speel, Ph.D., as the inaugural recipient of the Commonwealth Commitment Inspiring Discovery Award for his work presenting to the community, authoring articles for publication, acting as a trusted media interview subject, and leading place-based learning opportunities for students.
Speel, an associate professor of political science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, serves as the director of the Penn State Behrend Public Policy Initiative (PPI) and is a noted expert on many aspects of American and Canadian politics—including elections and voting behavior, state and urban politics, congress and the presidency, ethnic/racial politics, and public policy.
Creating a Space for Dialogue
Speel has long recognized the importance of sharing knowledge, not just in the classroom but across the community. Under his leadership, the Penn State Behrend PPI has become a hub for vibrant public programming that brings nationally recognized speakers, policymakers, journalists, and scholars into conversation with students and Penn’s State’s neighbors in the Erie region. Through public forums, panels, and moderated discussions, PPI is creating opportunities for conversation and learning.
“Robert Speel has expanded the University’s educational reach well beyond the classroom, fostering curiosity and dialogue on timely and complex issues,” said Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Penn State Behrend. “Through the PPI, he is broadening perspectives, promoting lifelong learning, and strengthening the connection between Penn State and the communities it serves.”
Taking Information to the Community
Beyond campus-based initiatives, Speel has an unparalleled record of community outreach through organizations such as the Jefferson Educational Society, a nonpartisan think tank headquartered in Erie. He also routinely speaks to civic clubs, labor organizations, and professional associations, translating complex political research into accessible, engaging presentations that promote critical thinking and democratic engagement.
“Whether it is making sense of America’s news of the day, or exploring international relations and foreign diplomacy, Speel is among the ‘top of the top’ that I trust to come prepared, offer world-class insights, and engage our audience,” said Ben Speggen, Jefferson Educational Society vice president.
“His audience is always engaged and asking carefully considered, thought-provoking questions, because they recognize the caliber of his expertise and appreciate his ability to relay complicated information in an accessible manner,” he added.
Adding Context to Complex Issues
Since the early 1990s, Speel has published nearly 50 articles on a wide range of topics, including presidential power in foreign conflicts, the electoral college, clergy serving in congress, and American border policy. He has also written about local matters, including Pennsylvania’s primary elections, Erie mayoral races, and the selection of local judges. In and around northwest Pennsylvania, he is a recognized authority on party politics, polls, trends, and election outcomes. He contributes frequently as a trusted source to the region’s political dialogue.
A Trusted, Accessible Interview Subject
Speel has reached tens of thousands of citizens via the local, regional, and national press. He has been interviewed by CNN, NPR, NBC, and other national outlets. In 2024, thanks to his informed but plainspoken manner, he was in high demand as an interview subject, speaking frequently on Pennsylvania’s role in the United States presidential election, including interviews produced by media outlets from France, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada. All of Speel’s media appearances prominently feature his affiliation with Penn State.
Taking Learning Out of the Classroom
When teaching his Politics and Government in Washington, DC, course, Speel leads student trips to Washington, DC, introducing students to members of Congress, executive branch officials, interest group leaders, political consultants, and diplomats—each of whom has something to teach.
Students in this class also have the opportunity to travel to Toronto, Canada, sharing a classroom with Canadian undergraduates to explore comparative politics, laws, and international relations. While in Toronto, Speel also leads students on historic tours.
“I have observed Associate Professor Speel’s teaching and can attest to the fact that his students find his classroom sessions revealing and engaging,” said Craig A. Warren, associate director of undergraduate studies and faculty affairs, Penn State Behrend School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Yet it is his work with students outside the classroom that perhaps best portrays government, not as cold and distant machinery but as a living entity made up of recognizable people,” he added.
Robert Speel Reflects on Discovery
“Through my work, I hope to inspire discovery in learners of all ages and to connect Penn State students with communities outside the University—so that everybody can learn from each other,” said Speel. “I endeavor to strengthen Penn State’s role as a land-grant institution by giving back to the community to the extent I am able to do so as political science professor.”
Living Our Commonwealth Commitments
“We applaud Robert Speel’s extensive outreach and education efforts and are excited to honor him with the Commonwealth Commitment Inspiring Discovery Award,” said Larry Terry, vice president for Outreach.
“He is making a difference in the lives of knowledge seekers, not just at the Behrend campus but in Erie, Pennsylvania, and beyond. His impressive history of presenting to the community on matters of public policy through multiple channels makes him a worthy recipient of this recognition,” he added.