MaryAnn Pearson, Ed.D., APR

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, journalism, public relations, and education. Mary Ann holds an Ed.D. in Education with an emphasis in Leadership and Administration from La Sierra University. She has been a professor of Communication Arts at CBU for 19 years and is a fellow for the Dr. Paul and Annie Kienel Leadership Institute at California Baptist University. Dr. Pearson has worked in public relations specializing in marketing and PR campaigns in property management, real estate, and nonprofit work Dr. Pearson’s research interests and expertise include mentoring, shared leadership, followership, psychological safety, generative dialogue, work-life balance, and coping with adversity. She uses qualitative research methods to explore and understand these phenomena in various contexts, such as academia, media, and organizations. She aims to promote servant, shared, and transformational leadership as well as create mentoring cultures, all while helping others overcome adversity and achieve their potential through the application of the adversity quotient and emotional intelligence frameworks.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Administrative Services Credential
Communications Courses, Public Relations and Journalism
Reading Specialist Certificate
College Media Advisers Certification for Adviser Training Student Publications
APR Accreditation through PRSA

Leadership Ph.D. Courses
Advanced Qualitative Research
Culture and Sociology of Organization
Communications Master’s and Bachelor’s courses
Public Relations Master’s and Bachelor’s courses
Journalism Courses
Education Courses

Leadership Presence
Shared Leadership
Generative Dialogue
Effective Communication with Millennials and Generation Z
Psychological Safety
Mentoring
Building a Mentoring Culture
Burn out
Ethics in Communication
Work-Life Balance
Boosting Accreditation in Public Relations
Literacy and English Proficiency



Shared Leadership
Adversity Quotient
Conflict Resolution
Mentoring Circles and Building a Culture of Mentoring
Sponsorship
Servant and Transformational Leadership
Transformational Leadership Teams

Dissertations:
Harris, T. (2018). Employee Engagement: The Path to Understanding Public Sector Millennials
Vandiver, L. (2020). Expressing a Political Agenda through Social Media: A Content Analysis of Representative Pete Aguilar’s #DearPete Social Media Campaign
Sega, Taylor: “To Apologize or Not to Apologize… What Else is in Between? A Case Study Analysis with Implications for Leaders & Organizational Context October, 2022, Completed, Chair

Board, Afarah: "The Phenomenon of Blacks or African Americans Emerging Out of Poverty into Prominent Leadership Positions" October, 2022, Completed, Chair

Katie Grimble: Critical Race Theory Professional Development and K-12 Principal Decision Making, June 2022, Completed, Chair

Dennis McIver: Lift Every Voice: Examining the Development of Black Employee Resource Group Leaders at R1 Designated Universities, Chair


Waahida Mansion: A Phenomenological Study of Black Women Transitioning From K-12 Classroom Roles to K-12 Leadership Roles. Chair

In Progress- Carrie Tate-Meyer: Leading with Kindness: The impact prosocial leadership has on employee engagement, and prevent job burnout, Chair

In Progress- Diva Ward: A Narrative Case Study Detailing the Effectiveness of Equity Training on the Confidence Levels of Executive Leaders in the California Community College System in Making Equitable Decisions, Chair


In Progress-Indhira Gagnon: Exploration of Gaps in Under-representation of Black Female Leadership in California Local Government: A Study of Historical Research, Chair



Dissertation Committees:


Hubbert, H. (2022). An Examination of Succession Planning in Christian Higher Education, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA

Hempel, B. (2022). Government Leadership During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA

Vandiver, L. (2020). Expressing a Political Agenda through social media: A Content Analysis of Representative Pete Aguilar's #DearPete Social Media Campaign. California Baptist University, Riverside, Ca.

Harris, T. (2018). Employee Engagement; The Path to Understanding the Silent Heroes of the Public Sector.
California Baptist University, Riverside, CA

Numerous Leadership, public relations and journalism training sessions and workshops
Fontana Christian School
Colton Joint Unified School District (Cooley Ranch Elementary School)
Tutoring at Innovative Intellects
Teaches Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, English courses online, hybrid and on-ground
Associated Collegiate Press
College Media Advisers
Public Relations Society of America
California Public Information Officials

Doctoral Dissertation Committee Work (Listed Below)

Dr. Kathryn Grimble, Critical Considerations: CRT Professional Development and Principal Decision Making 2022
Dr. Afarah Board, The Phenomenon of Blacks Emerging Out of Poverty into Prominent Leadership Positions 2022

Pearson, M. Vanderslice, G., O'Rourke, M. Increase Leadership Capacity: Improve Communication With Mentoring Communities and the Honeycomb Leadership Development Model.Public Relations Society of America national webinar, July 2022
Pearson, M., Vanderslice, G., O'Rourke, M. Rethinking Strategies that Increase Leadership Capacity and Communication, Public Relations Society of America, Western District, April 2022
Pearson, M. Inspiring Wisdom through Mentoring and Leadership in a Student Publication Team Setting., International Leadership Association, October, 2022
Pearson, M., Adversity Quotient and Mentoring while Leading Student Teams, International Leadership Association, October 2021
Pearson, M. Mentoring in a Hybrid, Pandemic Environment with an Understanding of the Adversity Quotient, Peer-Reviewed publication and conference, October, 2021
O' Rourke, M., Pearson, M. and Vanderslice, G., Strategies for Challenging Communication and Instruction, PRSA National webinar, August, 2021
Pearson, M. Boot Camp, Ethics in PR presented for PRSA National, May, 2021
Brodie, V., Pearson, M. Emotional Intelligence and Adversity Quotient. Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. April, 2021
Brodie, V., Pearson, M. Emotional Intelligence and Adversity Quotient. Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. April, 2021
Pearson, M., "Applying Ethics and Law to the Field of Public Relations, Orange County Public Relations Society of America, March 2021
Pearson M., "Holistic Mentoring and Coaching for Advancement and Innovative Leadership" International Leadership Conference, October, 2020
Pearson, M., "Adversity Quotient and Mentoring While Leading Student Teams" International Mentoring Conference and Peer-Reviewed Publication, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, October, 2020
Pearson, M., "Podcasting on a Shoestring Budget" Webinar, Public Relations Society of America, June, 2020
Pearson, M., Brodie, V. Ethics, Communication for Impact,
Presentation, City of Moreno Valley, March, 2020
Brodie, V., Pearson, M. (2020) Communicating for Impact. City of San Jacinto. San Jacinto, CA, July 22.
Pearson, M. (2020) How to Create a Podcast on a Shoestring Budget. Online Webinar, Riverside, Ca. June 17.
Brodie, V., Pearson, M. (2020) Ethics and Communication Leadership. California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO). March 7.
Pearson, M. (2020) Advantages of Mentoring. Online Webinar, Capio, January 19.
Pearson, M. (2019) Mentoring and Empowering Students. International Webinar, Public Relations Society of America, September, 2019
Brodie, V., Pearson, M. (2019) Emotional Intelligence and Adversity Quotient. City of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley, CA, November 12.
Pearson, M.(2019) Exploring mentoring Communities in Online Graduate Programs" UNM International Mentoring Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October
Pearson, M.(2018) “Method for Teaching Business Literacy to Public Relations Students” Public Relations Society of America Educator’s Academy, University of Texas, Austin, October
Purper, Ca. Ahumada, E. Pearson, M., Browning, J., (2018) “Work Patterns. Gender and job Satisfaction for Online Professors” Advancing Women in Leadership Conference, Azusa Pacific University, March
Pearson, M.(2018) ”Mentoring Model for Career Advancement” Advancing Women in Leadership Conference, Azusa Pacific University, March
Pearson, M.(2018) “Personal Branding Projects” Hawaii International Conference on Educations
Pearson, M.(2017) “Establishing a Mentoring Culture to help Diverse, Millennial First Generation Graduates Achieve Success” International Mentoring Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October
Pearson, M. (2017) “Teaching Public Relations Students to succeed by Writing Letters and Notes” PRSA International Conference, Boston, MA. October
Pearson, M.. (2017) “Millennials in the Workplace” California Public Information Officials Conference, San Diego, Ca. April
Pearson, M. (2017) “Building Networking and Public Relations Skills” PRSSA Meeting, Cal State San Bernardino, April
Pearson, M.(2017) Leadership Panel, PRSA Western District Conference, Riverside, Ca. March
Pearson, M.(2016) "Natural, Holistic Mentoring" Peer-Reviewed Conference submission, International Mentoring Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October
Pearson, M.(2016) “Personal Branding for Success after Commencement” Cal Lutheran, Thousand Oaks, Ca. PRSSA Meeting, November
Pearson, M. (2016) “Tips for a Successful Interview” Colton Joint Unified School District, Career Day, October
Pearson, M. Pearson, M. “Textbook Chapter review in 8/2016 for Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques, 8th Edition, by Wilcox & Reber completed by Mary Ann Pearson
Pearson, M. “Career Day Assembly Presentation” Colton Joint Unified School District, D’Arcy Elementary School, March, 2016
Pearson, M. “Panel for Lean In by Cheryl Sanberg” Colton Joint Unified School District, Superintendent Jerry Almendarez’s Book Club, February, 2016
Pearson, M. "Strategies for Success after Commencement" Cal State San Bernardino PRSSA, Nov. 2015
Pearson, M. "Online Mentoring to Facilitate Internship- Peer Reviewed Conference Publication, Research Results "Public Relations Society of America Educators Academy Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 2015.
Pearson, M. "Journey to Success" Panel Participant, La Verne Leo Public Relations Club, Nov., 2015
Pearson, M., "Best Practices for Mentoring Student Interns Online" Peer-Reviewed Conference submission, International Mentoring Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October, 2015
Pearson, M. "Strategies for Success after Commencement" CBU PRSSA Chapter, October, 2015
Pearson, M. “Building Effective Community Relations,” Community Connect Workshop at the Grove Church, Ca., September, 2015
Pearson, M. "Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation for Success after Commencement" COMM WEEK, Cal State Fullerton, April, 2015
Pearson, M. "Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation for Success after Commencement" University of La Verne Leo Public Relations Club, April, 2015
Pearson, M. "Seven Tips for Success after Commencement", Cal State San Bernardino, February, 2015
Pearson, M. "Turning that Internship into a Job", PRSSA YOPRO Conference, Riverside, Ca. February, 2015
Pearson, M. (2014) Online Mentoring for Internships, International Mentoring Association Publication for Albuquerque, New Mexico Conference Pearson, M. “Build a Personal Brand” Riverside County fiscal and administrative managers, October, 2014
Pearson, M. “Social Media for Nonprofits” Community Connect at the Grove Church, Riverside, Ca. September, 2014
Pearson, M. and Hernandez, P. “Internship Program Year Two” Riverside Downtown Partnership, September, 2014
Pearson, M. “Nonprofit Use of Pinterest” United Way, Riverside, Ca. February, 2014
Pearson, M., "Mentoring Millennial Students", International Mentoring Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October, 2013
Hernandez, P. and Pearson, M. "Social Media Practices", Downtown Riverside Foundation, October, 2013
Ahumada, E. and Pearson, M. “Public Service, Personal Branding and Motivation,” Office of Aging, Riverside County, California December, 2013

Centerpoint Church Colton

Leadership Quotient at the County of San Bernardino probation training session on March 3
Girl Scouts of America, Troop 960
Grab That Job Online Seminar and Workshop, Centerpoint Church, Colton, March-May 2020
Mentoring Program for CBU Public Relations students to study and successfully pass the exam for Principles of Public Relations Certification
Fellow Dr. Paul & Annie Kienel Leadership Institute, California Baptist University
President of PRSA IE in 2015 and Board Member 2013-2021
Hispanic Family Literacy Program
Colton Joint Unified School District’s Superintendent’s Council
Creative Writing Courses
Tutoring-Community Based Tutoring Firm
Volunteer- Give Big Riverside County
Volunteer- Girl Scouts of America
Volunteer- International Mentoring Association
Board Member Educators Academy PRSA 2017- 2022
Assembly Delegate PRSA 2019
Director PRSSA for PRSA Inland Empire Chapter
Judge for Bronze Anvil Award 2017-2022
Judge for Capio Awards 2017-2020
Western District Chapter of PRSA Communications Co-Chair 2021=2022

Family and Cycling

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

- James 1:12, NASB