Sara Erlichman
Asst. Professor - Advertising & Public Relations
Education
B.A., Virginia Wesleyan University
M.S.J., University of Kansas;
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Biography
Dr. Sara Erlichman is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Bradley University, where she teaches courses in media studies, research methods, and public relations. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes cultivating students’ professional communication skills and preparing them for successful careers. She integrates experiential learning into her courses, connecting students with real-world projects and industry practices.
Dr. Erlichman brings industry experience from her work in the Analytics Department at Ketchum, a global communications firm. She contributed to measurement reports and strategic insights for clients such as Clorox, Target, Doritos, Wells Fargo, and Elevance Health. She leverages this professional background to guide students’ early career development and professional goals.
Dr. Erlichman earned her Ph.D. in Mass Communications from The Pennsylvania State University and has taught courses in media studies, film, sports communication, research methods, and strategic communication.
Her research expertise lies in media psychology, with a focus on how attachment to media figures influences audiences’ identities, behaviors, and engagement with media. Her work appears in journals such as Health Communication, the Journal of Sport Communication, and the Journal of Communication Inquiry. She has also presented at conferences including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), the National Communication Association (NCA), the International Communication Association (ICA), and the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association (PCA).