Mary Ann Pearson has more than thirty years of experience in Leadership, Journalism, Public Relations and Education. Pearson worked in public relations specializing in marketing and public relations campaigns in property management, real estate and nonprofit work. She served as an Elementary teacher prior to moving to higher education.  Pearson is involved in the community and has worked with the Hispanic Literacy Program, Give Big Riverside, Girl Scouts of America, PRSA, CAPIO, Colton Joint Unified School Districts Superintendent’s cabinet, International Mentoring Association and other organizations including supporting internships with the Riverside Downtown Partnership, Dr. Paul and Annie Kienel Leadership Institute fellow and PRSA.

She is an accomplished freelance writer, teacher and leader. Pearson researched mentoring and effective journalism/public relations instruction as a part of her doctoral dissertation and has coached dozens of millennial students to help them complete successful internships that became job offers. She researched and designed the curriculum for the BA and master’s degree in public Relations at CBU. Her doctoral research on Millennial students and effective educational experiences offers insight into the changing fields of journalism and public relations. She is an active member of PRSAIE and serves as the director at large for PRSSA, a professor of communication studies at California Baptist University and holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from La Sierra University. Pearson has mentored hundreds of students and faculty members. She helped students to successfully enter the field of public relations and professionals to enter the academy as adjunct faculty members.  Her hobbies include spending time with her husband, grown children, grandchildren and dogs. She is avid cyclist and loves to participate in Bible studies at her church.