Rate My Professor Rachael Record

Dr. Rachael A. Record is a Professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University, part of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. She earned her B.A. in Communication from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2009, her M.A. in Communication from the University of Kentucky in 2011, and her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Kentucky in 2014. She also obtained Graduate Certificates in Health Communication in 2011 and Applied Statistics in 2013 from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Record's research is grounded in behavior change theories and utilizes mixed methods to investigate campaign and intervention strategies that enhance health behavior outcomes, particularly in tobacco prevention and cessation. She examines social media platforms for health promotion purposes and leads efforts to raise awareness about the health risks of thirdhand smoke exposure. As Associate Director of the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, she manages the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational materials targeting thirdhand smoke residue dangers. Additionally, she contributes as a Core Researcher with the Center for Communication, Health, and the Public Good, and as an Investigator with the Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment, supporting campaign strategies, online presence, and tobacco endgame initiatives.

Dr. Record's scholarly contributions include key publications such as '#Selfharm on #Instagram: Examining user awareness and use of Instagram’s self-harm reporting tool' in Health Communication (2019), 'I sought it, I Reddit: Examining health information engagement behaviors among Reddit users' in the Journal of Health Communication (2018), 'Social media guidelines for 21st century research centers' (2020), and 'Thirdhand smoke dissemination, outreach, and resource center' (2020). Other works encompass studies on media reporting of Zika, humor in suicide disclosures, and e-cigarette marketing frames. In 2024-2025, she was honored with the SDSU Senate Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing her as a Senate Distinguished Professor. Her efforts advance public health communication, influencing tobacco control policies and community outreach programs through evidence-based interventions.