Lynnette Grace Leonard

Lynnette Grace Leonard is a Professor in the Department of Communication at George Mason University. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas and has taught courses in media technology, persuasion, and communication pedagogy. Her research focuses on virtual environments, online identity, and the intersection of technology with rhetorical theory. She has received the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and continues to innovate in higher education through her work with virtual classrooms and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Leonard’s academic background includes a Master’s in Communication (University of New Mexico, 1998) and a Bachelor’s in Rhetoric & Communication (Kansas State University, 1995). Her teaching spans media law, organizational communication, and public speaking, with a strong emphasis on integrating digital tools into pedagogy. She has contributed to over a dozen academic publications exploring topics like Second Life as a teaching platform, online anonymity, and women’s protest speech.

Her research projects include grants such as the 2023-2024 Gender Relations and Student Success at Mason Korea (contributor) and the 2016-2017 AUBG ASHA Innovation Hub grant. Leonard’s work often addresses emerging digital communication technologies and their societal implications, including civic engagement through social media and ethical challenges in virtual spaces.