Renee DeHeck is a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, CA with a BA in Organizational Communications and a Masters of Arts, in Mass Communication Management also from CSU, Stanislaus.
Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. DeHeck has a diverse background of 25 years in the Media/Advertising Industry. Her early beginnings were with KCSO/UniVision as a Floor Director working in Broadcast News, Talk Shows, Commercials and Music Videos. Next she worked for E&J Gallo Winery as photographer, videographer, and photo stylist making national TV spots, industrial training films, documentaries, infomercials and the Gallo Winery Magazine. After 4 years with the Winery, Ms. DeHeck left Gallo to start her own production company known as Master Reel Productions which has been in operation for over 12 years. She produces and writes media projects as well as freelancing a voiceover artist, photographer, editor, make-up artist, set design, location scout, and casting agent.
Since starting her company, she’s produced award winning TV commercials with advertising agencies, namely AT&T Media Services, which have aired on cable networks such as Discovery, A&E, ESPN, TNT, HGTV, VH1, Animal Planet and more. Currently she is freelancing in the summers working on independent films and short media projects.
DeHeck enjoys the arts. She likes to paint and draw, photography, and music. Besides playing guitar and mandolin, she enjoys attending and participating in community theater. Of course going to the movies and working in the film industry is a passion of hers.
Remaining active in the media industry allows Ms. DeHeck to stay current with the ever-changing technology field in addition to supplementing lectures with valuable illustrations to pass on to her students. DeHeck’s passion for teaching is always in the forefront of her experiences.
DeHeck loves teaching at community colleges because of the opportunity for smaller class size and the connection with the students. Being able to provide the students more hand-on experiences is valuable for practical application and preparing for one’s career. Taking the time to interact with the students and share her experiences is what’s really rewarding about teaching.