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The Reed College of Media and College of Creative Arts will merge to form the new WVU College of Creative Arts and Media as of July 1, 2024. Get details.

Barbara-Leigh Tonelli

Special Features Editor, Huntington Beach Local News

Ph.D. Business (Capella University)

Dr. Tonelli’s main focus during course facilitation is her students’ success. She contributes excellence and innovation in the classroom and shares significant experience gained over her career in the fields of journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, research, mass media, sociology, international travel, economics, and commercial real estate.

Dr. Tonelli received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix; attended the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism at University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication; and went on to complete her Ph.D. in Business; Organization and Management from Capella University. She has spoken internationally, and has over 30 articles published with The Local News, Huntington Beach as Special Features Editor, in Intellectbase International Consortium, and the Association of Employment Practices and Principles.

Dr. Tonelli has been a speaker and presented before the State of California’s State Legislature, University of California Irvine, Capella University, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, California State University Fullerton, California State University Long Beach, and Goldenwest College. During business hours she is Vice President, Orange County Leasing Division at NAI Capital Commercial Real Estate Services, Worldwide; and has traveled to 22 countries and 3 continents.

Her television and periodical experience includes: Animal Planet “Pet Story” (2000 – 2008), Huntington Beach City Council, Huntington Beach, CA (1999 – 2004) project Self-Sufficiency program funding, Our Town (September and November 1993)panel discussion, coordination of the Interstate Policy between Med-i-Cal of California and Nevada’s “Flight For Life” helicopter rescue service (1992), Sierra Style Magazine Folsom/El Dorado, CA (2007), U.S. Underground Report (2006), High Society Magazine (2008), interviewed by New York Times (2009), People Magazine (2001), and invited to appear on Oprah (1995).

Dr. Tonelli’s teaching style and philosophy implements an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the online college student. In the course room she generates leadership, emphasizes a skill set of perception to recognize opportunities to learn, and presents engaging concepts and ideas that may otherwise be overlooked. These characteristics, coupled with collaboration and encouragement, strengthen both the professional and personal success of her students.