Staff

Michael DiResto

Michael DiResto

Director, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs

222A Journalism Building

Michael DiResto joined LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as director in February 2025. His leadership of the Reilly Center is informed by more than 25 years of prior experience in media relations, public affairs, political and strategic communications, public policy research and development, and executive management. Joining the Reilly Center also brought DiResto’s career full circle, as his first job after moving to Baton Rouge in 1996 was teaching freshman English, through a graduate assistantship, at LSU. Prior to returning to LSU, DiResto served as Executive Vice President of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), after being promoted from Senior Vice President for Economic Competitiveness, with oversight of the organization’s public policy, research, and advocacy efforts. Prior to working at BRAC, DiResto served as Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Communication in Louisiana State Government’s Division of Administration, and before that as Communications Director for then-Congressman Richard Baker (LA-6). DiResto volunteers as President of the board for the University Hills Civic Association and as a member of the Forum 225 Advisory Council. He is a graduate of the Leadership Baton Rouge program in 2005 and was recognized as one of the Baton Rouge area’s Top Forty Under 40 young professionals in 2006. DiResto holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English from the University of Dallas and pursued doctoral studies in English (ABD) at LSU with a goal of becoming an English professor before being lured away to a career in public affairs.

Maria DeRoche Headshot

Maria DeRoche
Program Coordinator, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
mderoc6@lsu.edu

Maria DeRoche began her role as program coordinator for the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in March 2024. She is also a master's student at the Manship School of Mass Communication. Originally from Prairieville, Louisiana, DeRoche obtained a B.A. in strategic communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in promotional management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022. Previously, DeRoche interned for Louisiana Folk Roots, a nonprofit organization dedicated to perpetuating Louisiana's traditional cultural expressions. She worked as a graduate assistant for the Reilly Center from January 2023 – March 2024.

Emily Pope
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
epope12@lsu.edu

Emily Pope began interning for LSU's Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in October of 2023. She is originally from Alexandria, Louisiana and studies Computer Science in the LSU College of Engineering. Emily anticipates graduation in May 2027. Following graduation, Emily hopes to gain new experiences by travelling the world!

Julia Russell
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
Jruss62@lsu.edu

Julia Russell joined the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as an intern in June 2024. She is currently a second-year undergraduate student majoring in mass communication with a concentration in digital advertising. Russell is passionate about leveraging her skills in digital media to transition into the field of UX design. With a keen interest in user experience and digital innovation, she aims to blend creative storytelling with practical design solutions to enhance user interactions across various digital platforms.

Ryan Leccese
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
122 Journalism Building
rlecce1@lsu.edu

Ryan Leccese began interning for the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in August 2024. He is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia and is majoring in General Business with plans to graduate in May 2025.