Dr. Erica L. James is entering her first year as advisor for the Francis Marion University cheerleading program. She also serves as an assistant professor within the FMU Psychology Department.
FMU Cheer is centered around the love and mentoring of great game day cheerleaders, campus leaders and ambassadors, as well as cultivating school spirit.
Coach James’ background in cheerleading dates back to her elementary years through middle and high school when she participated as a cheerleader for both football and basketball. She was also a AAAA competitive cheerleader at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C.
She attended the College of Charleston, where she represented the Cougars on their All-Women’s Cheer Team from 2000-2001. Coach James also worked as a Professional Cheer Instructor for Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) from 2000-2004.
In addition to being the cheer team’s head coach, Coach James is also the FMU Dance Team coordinator, overseeing the dance program. She absolutely loves the ability to collaborate all spirit groups at FMU and works hand-in-hand with all team members.
Dr. James earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the College of Charleston. She went on to study in the area of clinical/counseling psychology and later earned a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from FMU. She completed her Doctoral Internship at the Counseling and Human Development Center at the University of South Carolina as part of her doctoral training in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia.
Her research interests include depression and anxiety and help-seeking attitudes among minority groups. She also has a special interest in help-seeking behaviors and attitudes among African American women and mental health service utilization of college students.
Her office is located in the Department of Psychology suite in Cauthen Eduication Media Center, room 109-B.
