Rate My Professor Gina Reynolds

Dr. Gina Reynolds serves as Public Speaking Course Coordinator and Lecturer in the Communication Studies department within the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts at Indiana University South Bend. Holding a Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue University (2023), an M.A. in Communication from Western Michigan University (2020), and a B.A. in Communication from Rhode Island College (1989), she brings over 15 years of experience in teaching and coaching speech and debate to her role. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Professor and Debate coach. Reynolds teaches a variety of courses including SPCH S-121: Public Speaking, SPCH S-405: Human Communication Theory, SPCH C-393: Communication Research Methods, SPCH S-335: Family Communication, and SPCH S-229: Discussion and Group Methods.

Her research specializations encompass roles, relationships, and identity negotiation, and their effects on personal and professional well-being. Reynolds investigates identity and well-being amid COVID-19 mask restrictions, student success strategies, incorporating innovative engaged research experiences into the classroom, interpersonal relationships, the navigation of multiple roles and their identity impacts, as well as engaged and mixed research methods alongside engaged teaching practices. Key publications include the article “Other people thought I was dirty or crazy: Identity conversations about medical exceptions to masking” in the journal Communication Studies. Additionally, her dissertation, “It’s hard. I love it and it’s hard!”: Homeschool moms’ navigation of academic and non-academic life, presented at the Central States Communication Association conference, explores homeschool mothers' negotiation of academic and non-academic roles, challenging traditional notions of the 'good mother' framework. Reynolds has earned notable awards such as the Ross-Lynn Research Scholarship from Purdue University, the Top Four Student Interpersonal Paper award at the 2020 National Communication Association convention, and the School of Communication Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award from Western Michigan University in 2020. She also contributes to university governance as a member of the Academic Senate Standing Committees for the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts.