Melissa Baker
@melissabaker.bsky.social
Asst prof at UTEP. Political psychology and political communication. Studying mental health, cognition, emotions, info behavior, & social media.
Good news, fellow faculty: We might be onto something with cracking jokes in class. 😂
November 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Good news, fellow faculty: We might be onto something with cracking jokes in class. 😂
Fellow cav Maya agrees. She pulled together all the Halloween blankets and had trouble staying awake during a Halloween party.
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Fellow cav Maya agrees. She pulled together all the Halloween blankets and had trouble staying awake during a Halloween party.
There’s no way. & the gun range one is about unknown dangers at gun ranges. One of the craziest auto schedule release coincidences.
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
There’s no way. & the gun range one is about unknown dangers at gun ranges. One of the craziest auto schedule release coincidences.
Important neighborhood update: There’s a group of six cats who gather at a coffeeshop and everyone feeds them so they’ve really warmed up to people.
October 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Important neighborhood update: There’s a group of six cats who gather at a coffeeshop and everyone feeds them so they’ve really warmed up to people.
Cool thing about this year: My neighborhood pool has been hosting djs since May & the season closing party yesterday featured some orange mountains at sunset. Yesterday was Benny Benassi. Other notable shows this summer were Tiesto, Kaskade, Deorro, Afrojack, Green Velvet, & Steve Aoki.
October 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Cool thing about this year: My neighborhood pool has been hosting djs since May & the season closing party yesterday featured some orange mountains at sunset. Yesterday was Benny Benassi. Other notable shows this summer were Tiesto, Kaskade, Deorro, Afrojack, Green Velvet, & Steve Aoki.
An email subject from a university press finally got me to open a university press email. (The book actually sounds super interesting and I am about to buy it! www.ucpress.edu/books/on-loo...)
October 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
An email subject from a university press finally got me to open a university press email. (The book actually sounds super interesting and I am about to buy it! www.ucpress.edu/books/on-loo...)
Important life update: I saw a kitten in a tree when I got to a coffeeshop this morning then later on realized another kitten had shown up & they were both watching me
October 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Important life update: I saw a kitten in a tree when I got to a coffeeshop this morning then later on realized another kitten had shown up & they were both watching me
Student: is it normal for a government shutdown to happen with a unified government?
Me reflecting on politics before answering with “what do you mean by ‘normal’?”:
Me reflecting on politics before answering with “what do you mean by ‘normal’?”:
September 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Student: is it normal for a government shutdown to happen with a unified government?
Me reflecting on politics before answering with “what do you mean by ‘normal’?”:
Me reflecting on politics before answering with “what do you mean by ‘normal’?”:
I just need everyone to know that my dog spent 5 minutes rearranging blankets on the guest bed (including catapulting one entirely off the bed) to snuggle up then fell asleep with her tongue out.
September 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I just need everyone to know that my dog spent 5 minutes rearranging blankets on the guest bed (including catapulting one entirely off the bed) to snuggle up then fell asleep with her tongue out.
I need everyone to know that there’s a guy in Toronto who white girl dances to Kesha & he now gets recognized in public. People are ELATED about joining and it is just the best thing.
September 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I need everyone to know that there’s a guy in Toronto who white girl dances to Kesha & he now gets recognized in public. People are ELATED about joining and it is just the best thing.
Was just reminded that five years ago today at the viral 2020 APSA there was an incredible “goat break” and introductions to llamas on a sanctuary. & yes I took screenshots at the time!
September 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Was just reminded that five years ago today at the viral 2020 APSA there was an incredible “goat break” and introductions to llamas on a sanctuary. & yes I took screenshots at the time!
It’s gonna be a while for me ha
September 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM
It’s gonna be a while for me ha
Sometimes I forget that a pool is 20 feet away and I can just go hang out in water under a palm tree. Today is not one of the times I forgot.
September 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Sometimes I forget that a pool is 20 feet away and I can just go hang out in water under a palm tree. Today is not one of the times I forgot.
Back on campus which means back to my phone thinking I’m in Mexico because UTEP is so close to the border.
August 25, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Back on campus which means back to my phone thinking I’m in Mexico because UTEP is so close to the border.
Semester starts tomorrow so I’m fighting of the weekend version of the Sunday scaries by seeing my favorite dj of all time play my neighborhood pool & getting chilaquiles. It’s working.
August 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Semester starts tomorrow so I’m fighting of the weekend version of the Sunday scaries by seeing my favorite dj of all time play my neighborhood pool & getting chilaquiles. It’s working.
Came across this picture from last year of my dog looking proud about her report card from the groomer. Figured the internet needed to see it.
August 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Came across this picture from last year of my dog looking proud about her report card from the groomer. Figured the internet needed to see it.
Actual lol at this IRB feedback. IRB taking the role of reviewer 2.
This actually seems like one of the least boring projects I’ve submitted, from the participant standpoint. Feels personal 😂
This actually seems like one of the least boring projects I’ve submitted, from the participant standpoint. Feels personal 😂
July 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Actual lol at this IRB feedback. IRB taking the role of reviewer 2.
This actually seems like one of the least boring projects I’ve submitted, from the participant standpoint. Feels personal 😂
This actually seems like one of the least boring projects I’ve submitted, from the participant standpoint. Feels personal 😂
Well, I'm convinced
June 25, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Well, I'm convinced
As a political scientist, I don't think I'm teaching much hip hop dance or dance at all tbh
June 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
As a political scientist, I don't think I'm teaching much hip hop dance or dance at all tbh
Women tonight after checking election news
June 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Women tonight after checking election news