Education: 

• Ph.D., Communication, Chapman University, 2025. Dissertation Title: A mixed-method examination of social media influencers’ source characteristics in sponsored health campaign messaging: An application of psychological reactance theory.
• M.A., Professional Communication, California State University, Fullerton, 2017.
• B.A., Communication, Public Relations, La Sierra University, 2015.

Principal Research Interests

My professional experience began with work as a communications intern at the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, where I gained skills I would use during my time as a Public Relations intern at MPRM Communications, a PR firm in Los Angeles. I later served as Director of Communication at Versacare, Inc. I have practical experience in the classroom, having worked as a substitute teacher for the Southeastern California Conference, as well as a French and Culinary Arts teacher at La Sierra Academy.

I joined the Department of Communication at La Sierra in January of 2018 as a adjunct instructor. As an Assistant Professor in Communication, my work will focus on Public Relations, as well as aiding students in internship placements and involvement with the Public Relations Student Society of America.

Research Area: 

• Public Relations
• Crisis Management

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (951) 785-2324
 

Awards

• Top Paper Panel Award, Western States Communication Association, Communication Theory and Research Interest Group. Testing the effects of loss-framed and gain-framed messages: Using theory of planned behavior to increase college student hydration. (with Batson-Bright, A. & Buckley, T.). 2024.

Representative Publications

Publications (by date)

1. Pick, L. D. (2025). A mixed-method examination of social media influencers’ source characteristics in sponsored health campaign messaging: An application of psychological reactance theory. (Doctoral dissertation). Chapman University, Orange, CA.

Conference Proceedings

1. Pick, L. D. (2025). Social media influencers’ support in health campaigns: What draws Gen Z women to health influencers. Presented to the Health Communication Interest Group, Albuquerque, NM. (Competitively selected).
2. Pick, L. D. (2025). Social media influencer messaging: A communication theory approach. Presented to the Communication Theory and Research Interest Group, Albuquerque, NM. (Panel Submission).
3. Pick, L. D. (2024). ‘Faulty memory’ and ‘diminished faculties’: A content analysis of age-based stereotypes of President Biden in U.S. news. Presented at the Research in Progress Roundtables, New Orleans, LA. (Competitively selected).
4. Pick, L. D., Batson-Bright, A., & Buckley, T. (2024). Regard for gain-framed messages: An application of the theory of planned behavior in college student hydration. Presented to the Applied Communication Division, New Orleans, LA. (Competitively selected).
5. Pick, L. D., Adekunle, O., & Ball, H. (2023). Perceived empathy and nonverbal immediacy mitigate reactance during interpersonal influencer attempts: An application to messages about sunscreen use. National Harbor, MD. (Competitively selected).
6. Pick, L., Batson-Bright, A., & Buckley, T. (2023). Testing the effects of loss-framed and gain-framed messages: Using theory of planned behavior to increase college student hydration. Presented to the Communication Theory and Research Interest Group, Reno, NV. (Competitively selected).