Michelle Baker

Michelle Baker is an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of eLearning Initiatives at the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Penn State. She oversees online undergraduate programs including Strategic Communications, Digital Journalism and Media, and collaborates with interdisciplinary partners like the College of Arts and Architecture and IST. With over 20 years in higher education, she focuses on learner-centered course design bridging academic theory to professional practice.

Education: B.A. & M.A. from Shippensburg University, MFA (Hamline University), Ph.D. (Penn State).

Research emphasizes online pedagogy, instructional design for digital learning communities, and integrating career-ready skills into curricula. Her work addresses challenges in virtual education ecosystems and media industry preparedness.