Rate My Professor Ericka Zimmerman

Ericka Zimmerman served as Director of the School of Health Sciences and Professor at Western Carolina University for ten years, overseeing a multidisciplinary unit that included programs in athletic training, emergency medical care, environmental health, integrated health sciences, nutrition and dietetics, and recreational therapy. Prior to assuming this leadership role, she acted as Director of Strategic and Community Initiatives for the College of Health and Human Sciences at the university for two years. Before joining Western Carolina University, Zimmerman spent thirteen years at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where she progressed from clinical athletic trainer and faculty member to program director and chair of the Department of Athletic Training. She holds a Doctor of Education in leadership studies with an emphasis in higher education administration from Marshall University, a Master of Science from Indiana State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Andrews Presbyterian College. As a nationally certified athletic trainer (LAT, ATC), she began her career in clinical practice within university athletic settings.

Zimmerman's scholarly work centers on leadership barriers and successes in health professions education, employment models and policy practices for athletic trainers, risk management, stretching protocols, proprioception, and conflict resolution strategies in athletic training environments. Notable publications include "Perceived Barriers, Challenges, Successes, and Rewards of Leadership Positions in Colleges of Health Professions: A Survey of Female Leaders" (2021), "An Examination of Employment Model and Policy and Procedure Practices of Secondary School Athletic Trainers" (2021), "Perceived Barriers and Challenges of Leadership Positions in Schools and Colleges of Health Professions in Higher Education: A Survey of Faculty at ASAHP Institutions" (2020), "The Effect of Holographic Wristbands on Proprioception" (2015), and "Conflict Resolution Strategies and Improving Relationships for ATs" (2009). Her 12 publications have garnered 34 citations. She has earned significant recognition, including induction as a Distinguished Practitioner Fellow in the National Academies of Practice (2022), the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2017), the Dan Libera Service Award from the Board of Certification (2016), the All-Southern Conference Faculty Award, the Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Service, and the Campus Career Development Champion Award (2021-2022).