Erica K. Yamamura is an assistant professor and the graduate research project coordinator in the Student Development Administration program. In summer 2011, she served as a faculty member for the NASPA NUFP SLI Program at the University of Connecticut.  

Prior to Seattle University, for three years she served as an assistant professor in the Educational Leadership program at Texas State University, San Marcos (Texas State). At Texas State she taught courses on participatory action research, community engagement, and social foundations. She conducted research and service in the area of P-20 partnerships for equity and diversity with such partners as the Texas State Division of Student Affairs, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Leander Independent School District. Immediately following her graduate studies, she served as a postdoctoral Scholar-in Residence at Carleton College. She holds a BA in Political Science and Asian American Studies (minor in Public Policy and Labor and Workplace studies), and an MA and Ph.D. in Education (Higher Education and Organizational Change) all from UCLA.   

She has spent over a decade cultivating bi-directional community partnerships in P-20 educational settings (Mentor Programs, Non-Profit, and University/Community Partnerships) and in student affairs (Residential Life, Outreach/College Readiness, and Educational Internships).   

Dr. Yamamura is a proud product of California’s public education system, having attended K-12 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District and postsecondary education in the University of California system. Informed by these experiences her research, teaching, and service focus on increasing educational equity for underrepresented students in P-20 education, specifically in the areas of college preparation, access, and retention. At present she is working on the following research projects:  

Diversity and Equity in Higher Education: 

Undergraduate 

1. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI’s)  
2. Texas Border Higher Education 

Graduate  

3. Graduate Student Choice Processes for Low Income, 1^st Generation, Students of Color, and LGBTQ students 
4. Graduate Preparation for Student Services Positions in Community Colleges 
5. Priming the Pipeline in Student Affairs: Examining NASPA’s NUFP Program 

Community Engagement   

1. Community-Based Learning in Graduate Education 
2. Engaging Student Affairs in the Seattle University Youth Initiative  

College Preparation and Access  

1. Community College Transfer Equity  
2. P-20 Partnerships for College Access 

 1^st Generation College Students (with Dr. Erin Kimura-Walsh and Lester Deanes, Santa Clara University)  

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Yamamura is thrilled to be back on the West Coast. She currently enjoys exploring coffee houses in the greater Seattle area and welcomes suggestions for tasty local taquerias.