An award-winning teacher, Erickson has a doctorate from the University of Alabama, and her research focuses on media law — from First Amendment jurisprudence to the role of journalists in FOIA policymaking to pedagogical approaches in the Comm Law classroom. Erickson is a native Californian, but has lived, studied and taught across the nation — including Seattle, McMinnville, Syracuse, Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge. Her professional background includes work in both public relations and graphic design.