Forensics: Speech & Debate

Jennifer Baney
Debate Coach

My educational journey has included a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of California, Davis where I focused my research on social movements, specifically, within marginalized groups in addition to studying the role of gender. During my Bachelor's degree, I also competed in Speech and Debate, focusing mostly on debate. After graduating from Davis, I found myself assisting coaching debate and really drawn to the idea of teaching at a Community College thanks to my Master's program. I earned a Masters's degree in Communication from the University of the Pacific with an emphasis in Political communication where I coached national competitors in both IE events and debate. During my master's program, I shifted my focus to the roles of pop culture as passive rhetoric and focused my research on Political communication within comics. After publishing, rather than pursuing a PhD, I decided that my love for the classroom was more prevalent and decided to begin teaching. Currently, I teach at a few colleges in and around the Inland Empire including RCC, Palomar, and of course MSJC! Currently, at MSJC I work with the Forensics (Speech and Debate) team as the lead coach for debate. Additionally, I work as a co-advisor for the Communication Club, one of the speech coaches for MSJC TEDx, and am part of the Honors Committee to serve our students.

On a more personal note, I am politically/socially active being involved with BLM, LGBTQ+, and the Feminist movement. In addition, I have been with my high school sweetheart, Christine Baney, since 2013 who also works in the Library at MSJC as an associate Librarian. Together, we have a stubborn mini schnauzer and two spoiled cats. In my spare time, I enjoy watching the Anaheim Ducks, LA Dodgers, or the Chiefs while grilling in the backyard. If a game is not on, you can catch me in the gym, taking the motorcycle out for a spin, or at the local car show.

You can contact Jennifer Baney at jbaney@msjc.edu 

Dr. Ron Newman, Ed.D.
Director of Forensics

I have been the Director of Forensics for the district Speech & Debate team here at Mt. San Jacinto College since Fall of 2015 and in the past I have also been the Tournament Director for Mt. San Jacinto College and College of the Desert speech tournaments. I have also been a judge for the Riverside Community College speech tournament. Prior to this, I served as the faculty advisor for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at Yucaipa High School and as a co-advisor for the Crafton Hills College chapter of Future Business Leaders (PBL). I have a Masters degree in Communication Studies, a Bachelors of Vocational Education with minors in Marketing and Communication, and an Associates degree in Liberal Arts.

Prior to my academic career I spent several decades in the retail industry as a sales associate, sales manager, operations manager and assistant general manager for Sears, Circuit City, and Best Buys Stores. I have lived in the Inland Empire most of my adult life after growing up in Los Angeles county. I currently live in San Jacinto with my wife, daughters, a couple of cats, and my best friends, shelter rescues Buddy and Sir Walter Raleigh.

You can contact Ron Newman at rnewman@msjc.edu

Renee Orton
Individual Events Coach

Renee Orton is a Communication Studies Associate Faculty Member for Mt. San Jacinto College at the Menifee Valley Campus and for San Bernardino Valley College.  She is a Certified Advanced Facilitator for the University of Phoenix Southern California Campus.  Ms. Orton has facilitated students in Southern and Northern California to become effective communicators and critical thinkers since 1987.  She has served as faculty at UCLA, CSUN, CSULB, CSUDH, Cal Poly Pomona, SJSU, San Jose City College, Mission College, West Valley College, PCC, College of the Canyons, Riverside City College, Moreno Valley College, and Norco College.  Ms. Orton has coached students in competitive collegiate speech and debate, resulting in national honors at both the Two and Four Year College level.  At UC Irvine, Ms. Orton was an active forensics competitor in all Individual Events, CEDA Debate and Reader’s Theatre.  She has experience in sales marketing, management training, and financial planning.  She received her Masters Degree in Speech Communication from California State University Northridge and her Bachelors Degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine.

You can contact Renee Orton at rorton@msjc.edu