Ericka Zimmerman
Director of the School of Health Sciences and Professor, Western Carolina University
In her current role, Erika leads a multi-disciplinary unit of experienced faculty and staff in the health sciences professions of athletic training, emergency medical care, environmental health, integrated health sciences, nutrition and dietetics, and recreational therapy. She served as the Director of Strategic and Community Initiatives for the College of Health and Human Sciences for two years, supporting the development of health-related initiatives within the college and community. Erika began her career as a clinical athletic trainer in the university setting, and prior to her arrival at Western Carolina University, she was the chair of the Department of Athletic Training at the University of Charleston, where she led a collaborative department aligning athletic training education and health care services for athletes as one unit with an array of health providers. Most recently she was inducted as a Fellow into the National Academies of Practice in 2022.