Meet the Faculty and Staff

Casey Maldonado, MPA
Director of Student Publications, Print & Online

Casey Maldonado is a skilled public relations professional with a strong affinity for spreadsheets and serving students. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Journalism from California Baptist University in 2021 and subsequently completed a master’s degree in Public Administration in 2022. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at CBU. Maldonado has been actively involved with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), initially as a member of the CBU PRSSA student chapter and currently as a board member for PRSA-IE, serving as the Director of Polaris. Additionally, she has contributed to Baptist Press at the SBC Annual Meeting for a couple of years.

 

Dr. Victoria Brodie, Ed.D., MBA
Associate Professor of Public Relations, Chair

Dr. Brodie has extensive experience in leadership, communications, public relations, and organizational strategies. Dr. Brodie has researched and regularly speaks on leadership strategies in a VUCA world and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Dr. Brodie serves on the steering committee for the Leadership Riverside program through the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and as the program Chair for the 2022 Leadership Riverside class. Dr. Brodie is a Past President of the Public Relations Society of America IE Chapter and is a National PRSA Bronze Anvil Judge.

 

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, Ed.D., APR
Professor of Communication, Director of Journalism & New Media and PR Academic Programs

Dr. Pearson has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, journalism, public relations and education. She has been a professor at CBU for 17 years and worked in public relations specializing in marketing and PR campaigns in property management, real estate and nonprofit work. Pearson has worked with the Paul and Annie Kienel Leadership Institute at CBU, Colton Joint Unified School District’s Hispanic Literacy Program, Give Big Riverside, Girl Scouts of America, PRSA, Capio, Colton Joint Unified School District-Superintendent’s cabinet, International Mentoring Association and other organizations including supporting internships with the Riverside Downtown Partnership.

Christopher Contreras, B.A. 
Director of Student Publications, Broadcast

Christopher Contreras is a six-time Emmy Award-winning producer who has worked on major events such as The Super Bowl, The World Series, FIFA World Cup, and FOX College Football. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from California State University, Fullerton in 2011. Contreras, a storyteller at heart, spent nearly two decades working in broadcast television, primarily at FOX Sports and NFL Network. In 2025, he felt the call to start a new chapter in his life and career. He did so by joining CBU full-time with the goal of serving the next generation of journalists with a passion for storytelling.

 

 

Susan Borgen, B.A.
Publications Secretary

Susan, a native of Southern California, holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education with a minor in Bible from Biola University. She has extensive experience in various educational settings, with a particular preference for university environments. Alongside her husband, Susan has been deeply engaged in ministry, contributing to multiple churches and playing a pivotal role in founding a church in Folsom, Calif. Her ministry efforts have been primarily directed towards youth and college communities, where she has made significant contributions through teaching, public speaking, and mentoring.