Mary Ann Pearson is newly appointed Associate Professor, Lead faculty Communication Studies/Public Relations at California Baptist University – Online & Professional Studies
Mary Ann Pearson has been named Master of Public Relations Director and Program Lead for Communication/Public Relations Studies at California Baptist University – Online and Professional Studies, effective May 2012.
Mary Ann began her career in public relations due to her background in journalism. She pitched the idea of writing press releases for the real estate agency she was working for at the time. This led her to joining Public Relations Society of America and attending workshops and completing coursework to improve on this craft that eventually brought her to writing for other real estate agencies and public relations firms. While working as a public relations practitioner she realized she wanted to go back and pursue her childhood dream of teaching.
Pearson pursued higher education at California Baptist University, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – English in 1999. She then taught 4th grade at Fontana Christian, and then move to Cooley Ranch Elementary to teach 3rd – 6th grade. While teaching at Cooley Ranch Elementary, she pursued her Master’s Degree in Education at CBU. Throughout her teaching career she continued to develop her freelance writing portfolio, volunteered to advise the school publications and continued with public relations freelance work.
After graduating with her Master’s degree in 2003, Mary Ann became an adjunct professor in the Department of Modern Languages, and taught freshmen Composition courses at CBU. While teaching at CBU, she also worked as the Director of the Hispanic Family Literacy program at Cooley Ranch Elementary. This program invited the Spanish speaking parents of students at Cooley Ranch Elementary to come in and read children’s books that were written in Spanish and English that they would discuss the meanings of the books and words and understanding the literature.
Mary Ann was finishing up an administrative credential program when she applied for and became the journalism adviser for student publications at CBU. While overseeing The Banner newspaper, The Angelos yearbook and helping develop Pursuit magazine she received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from La Sierra University in 2010. Her doctoral study and research focused leadership, effective communication and her dissertation was a phenomenological study on effective journalism educational experiences.
California Baptist University Online & Professional Studies offers a Master of Arts in Public Relations program and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies and Public Relations. CBU’s M.A. in Public Relations is tailored for the working adult, and prepares students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to develop professionally and personally. A widely recognized and respected degree within and beyond the region’s professional community, CBU’s M.A. in Public Relations competitively positions individuals to advance in their existing careers, transition to new ones, and reach their professional goals.
