Teaching

Confidence grows from competence.

Dr. Baker’s classroom is energetic, practical, and built for growth. Students strengthen their strategic thinking, receive candid feedback, make ethical choices, and learn how to stand behind their work.

Explore current courses Academic inquiry

2018

Joined the Zimmerman School as adjunct faculty

Courses scheduled for Spring 2027

2026

Appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Instruction in August

University of South Florida

Current and upcoming courses

Dr. Baker brings the pace, standards, and ambiguity of professional practice into the classroom. Students make real decisions, work with emerging tools, and defend their ideas. Select or hover over a course for details.

Current semester

Fall 2026

ADV 4710Portfolio Building
Professional positioning, portfolio architecture, case-study development, and the translation of academic work into evidence of strategic thinking and employability.
View official USF course
ADV 4600Advertising ManagementTwo sections
Strategic management of advertising and integrated marketing communication through live community-partner briefs. Student teams conduct research, develop audience and channel strategy, manage agency-client decisions, and present a defensible campaign.
View official USF course
ADV 3300Media Planning for Advertising
Audience analysis, media mathematics, platform strategy, and plan evaluation. The course culminates in a $2 million media plan and includes a $350,000 constraint-based media-math assignment.
View official USF course

Upcoming semester

Spring 2027

ADV 3300Media Planning for Advertising
Audience analysis, media mathematics, platform strategy, and plan evaluation. The course culminates in a $2 million media plan and includes a $350,000 constraint-based media-math assignment.
View official USF course
ADV 4600Advertising Management
Strategic management of advertising and integrated marketing communication through live community-partner briefs. Student teams conduct research, develop audience and channel strategy, manage agency-client decisions, and present a defensible campaign.
View official USF course
PUR 4412Persuasion in Digital Media
Persuasion across digital-media environments, with attention to advertising, immersive media, audience response, message strategy, and ethical communication.
View official USF course
MMC 4936Introduction to AI and Media
An introduction to how artificial intelligence is reshaping media systems, communication practice, creative work, audience strategy, and professional responsibility.
View official USF course

Teaching philosophy

Learning the craft by doing the work.

Professional development is part of the curriculum. Students practice, revise, respond to candid feedback, and learn to trust the judgment they have earned.

Courses translate foundational theory into decisions students must defend. Live briefs, budget constraints, research, presentations, and revision help students move from completing assignments to exercising professional judgment.

AI and emerging tools are taught alongside copyright, attribution, platform power, and compliance. Students learn how the tools work, when to question them, and who remains responsible for the outcome.

Commitment to students

Student success includes an open door beyond office hours, active mentorship, clearer professional identity, and access to relationships that can move a student’s career forward. The Zimmerman Student Talent Book extends that commitment from the classroom into Dr. Baker’s professional network.

Inside the learning community

The future of work is already here.

“I want students to leave my classroom ready to think, speak, decide, and lead with confidence. They should enter the workforce prepared to influence where it goes.”

Dr. Renée Baker · Teaching philosophy

Renée Baker with Zimmerman School students gathered in a classroom — Classroom community at the Zimmerman School

Renée Baker presenting practical applications of artificial intelligence at USF — Faculty development on practical, responsible AI use

Zimmerman School students standing with their creative work displayed behind them — Students presenting and celebrating their creative work

Renée Baker standing with a guest speaker in a Zimmerman School classroom — Guest voices extend learning beyond the classroom

Prior academic appointment

Wilmington University

Adjunct Professor of Marketing, College of Business, 2014–2017

BMK 305 Marketing
BMK 471 Mobile and Digital Marketing
BMK 413 Marketing Management
BMK 400 Social Media Marketing

Commitment in action

Extending learning, access, and opportunity.

Specific contributions connecting curriculum, responsible AI, institutional service, and professional opportunity.

Zimmerman School Advisory Council

Member since 2025, contributing academic and industry perspective to the school’s strategic direction.

Faculty AI workshop

Co-facilitator helping faculty make practical, responsible choices about AI in the curriculum.

Student Talent Book

Developing an initiative designed to connect Zimmerman students with employers and professional opportunities.

Student opportunity initiative

Looking to hire Zimmerman talent?

The Zimmerman Student Talent Book is in development as an employer-facing showcase designed to connect students with internships and post-graduation opportunities. The initiative extends the classroom’s focus on professional positioning, visibility, and employability.

Open the Talent Book guest area