Rate My Professor Betsy Pike

Dr. Betsy Pike is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media at Ball State University, to which she returned in 2021 following her Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Ohio University and a tenure on the faculty at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She earned her M.A. in Digital Storytelling from Ball State University and her B.A. in Communication from Capital University. Dr. Pike has taught media production and criticism at the college level since 2007, beginning as an instructor in Ball State's Department of Media. At Capital University, she served as Director of Film and Media Production for nine years, overseeing programs that emphasized practical media skills and creative storytelling.

Dr. Pike's research interests focus on the interdisciplinary connections between experiential learning, creativity, and story. She teaches in the media production concentration, with current courses including Visual Effects for Media, Virtual Production, Enhanced Media Projects, and Special Projects. Her selected media and academic works include authoring "Capital in the Sixties: Interdisciplinary Immersion in Action" in the Journal of Media Education (2020); producing "Spaces Between Us: A University (un)Masked" (2021) and "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning: Reflections of a Dream 30 Years Later" (2021); directing "Capital in the Sixties" (2018); producing "Dear Miss Conrad: Capital University in WWII" (2019); and producing "Women of National Distinction Girl Scout USA Conference Videos" (2017). In 2024, she received the Extraordinary Service Award for her pivotal role in renovating the Ball Communication studios into state-of-the-art facilities, which enhanced student hands-on experiences and attracted professional projects such as hosting SONY Pictures for an Electronic Press Kit for the Garfield movie. She also contributed to a team awarded a 2025 NATAS Central Great Lakes Regional Emmy in the Technical Achievement category for Ball State University Studio Renovations.