English MA Alum Embodies SSU's Core Values
Dr. Erica Tom is an educator, bridging academic and equine worlds. She takes her teaching beyond the classroom. In 2018, Erica founded Equi-Sense, a therapeutic equine program melding ethology, trauma-informed practices, and Natural Horsemanship. Her research provides her with unique expertise in horse-human relationships and identity development. Her work with horses (including experience gentling mustangs and holistic horse care) provides her with a deep understanding of horses as powerful healers and teachers. Melding her academic and equine knowledge, she guides clients in identifying personal and professional challenges and goals, and developing effective communication and leaderships skills. As Founder and Executive Director of Equi-Sense, Erica partners with farms across Sonoma County to serve clients from Napa Valley to the Sonoma coast. Serving people of all backgrounds, Erica also focuses on reaching children and families in the foster care system, fire survivors, firefighters and first responders.
In the capacity as program developers, Erica Tom is the Director of Native American Studies at Sonoma State University from 2019 to present. She also helped develop the Native American & Indigenous Studies Reading Group at Sonoma State University, starting in 2020.
Erica has been a highly impactful educator, engaging with the intersections of Ethnic Studies, Native American Studies, Animal Studies, and Environmental Studies. Erica earned her Ph.D. in American Studies at Rutgers University-Newark in 2017. She earned her M.A. in English Literature, with a focus on Critical Pedagogy, from Sonoma State University in 2012, and her B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Classical Studies from the University of Washington in 2007. Her ethical, compassionate, and community-building work in Equi-Sense, in connecting Ethnic Studies with Native American Studies embodies SSU's core values in being sustainability-minded, community-engaging and culturally-transformative.
To learn more about Eric Tom, you can visit her website.