Erica Watson-Currie has over 20 years of experience in higher education and research. She has held various roles at USC including adjunct faculty, clinical assistant professor, and research assistant professor where she taught courses and conducted research projects. Her research focused on developing messaging strategies for smart grid technology rollouts and increasing public understanding of new technologies. She also has experience in customer service, public relations, and conducting surveys.

1. Erica Watson-Currie, MCM, PhD
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-887-4886 | cell
EWatsonC@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Southern California November 2010 - December 2014
• Adjunct Faculty Member (8/12 - 12/14)
• Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
• Taught 2 sections of Communication 204: Public Speaking.
• Keck School of Medicine - Department of Preventive Medicine (1/14 - 5/14)
• Taught PM 526: Health Communication
• Clinical Assistant Professor (1/12 - 5/12)
• Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
• Taught 3 classes. Supervised and directed 2 Teaching Assistants.
• Communication 204: Public Speaking
• Communication 301L: Empirical Research in Communication
• Research Assistant Professor (1/10 - 12/11)
• Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
The Smart Grid Demonstration Project was a partnership between the LADWP
and a consortium of top Southern California research institutes including USC,
UCLA, and Cal Tech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Smart Grid is a new digital
energy grid using “smart meters” – which will be rolled out to every home and
business in the United States by 2030. It is designed to increase energy efficiency, and
will give more feedback to customers to help them change their energy consumption
behaviors. Our portion of the project focused on developing differentiated informative
and persuasive messaging strategies for the variety of community segments and
stakeholders, as well as designing and implementing survey instrument and
procedures to track development of energy literacy across the communities as Smart
Meters and messaging campaigns were rolled out at and around USC and UCLA, and
then more broadly throughout Los Angeles County. Project intended to explore and
increase role of targeted messages, recruitment of opinion leaders, social media,
education and outreach in increasing public understanding of emerging technologies,
and adoption of effective energy-usage behaviors.
Snow Orthodontics
Consultant June 2001 – October 2014
Specializing in Customer and Employee Satisfaction; Survey Design; Quantitative and
Qualitative Data Analysis; Branding and Strategic Design.

2. California State University at Long Beach
Faculty Member June 2005 – May 2009
Taught 4 to 5 classes per semester, interacting one-on-one with and encouraging upwards
of 200 students annually. Stimulated interest and developed skills in applying
communication skills toward service learning projects benefiting a variety of community
groups.
Key Accomplishments:
· Created 2 versions of Health Communication course. Service Learning version of
course partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach to implement and
evaluate portions of their SMART Moves training program. This partnership
represented the first time all enrolled students completed and passed the training
program. Furthermore, it also made the club eligible to compete for an $8 million
grant, which they received.
· Supervised multiple teams over several semesters in creating and implementing
awareness and fundraising events in partnerships with community organizations
such as: Children Today, Surfrider Foundation, City of Bellflower’s Parks
Department, Children’s Day at Kaleidoscope, and Children’s Hospital of Orange
County’s Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes Research and Education.
· Supervised multiple teams in creating and implementing training programs for the
Junior University Program at California State University at Long Beach.
· Served on Education Policies and Curriculum Committee evaluating and
developing new course proposals and revisions.
University of Southern California
Lecturer, Associate Trainer, and Research Assistant January 1998 – May 2005
Worked in both Annenberg School for Communication and Marshall School of Business
educating and encouraging students in a variety of topics including: public speaking,
business communication, research strategies, and statistical analysis.
Key Accomplishments:
· Coached students in reducing public speaking anxiety and creating well-organized
informative and persuasive multimedia presentations.
· Experiential Learning Trainer for business students in programs such as consensus
building; intercultural communication sensitivity and awareness; teamwork;
interest-based negotiations.
· Assisted in development of Women-to-Women study designed to increase women’s
ability to negotiate safer sex practices with their partners. Conducted interviews and
education programs. Trained and evaluated subsequent graduate assistants.
· Researched history of tobacco industry’s affiliations and influence. Instrumental in
developing searchable collection of abstracts in archives of Minnesota Collection
for reporters and researchers. Trained subsequent graduate assistants in adding to
and maintaining collection.

3. Rusnak/Westlake
Customer and Public Relations Manager June 1993 – November 1998
Interacted with customers on a daily basis to ensure high levels of satisfaction.
Responsible for overseeing and coordinating community events and charitable
sponsorships.
Key Accomplishments:
· Created and maintained computer database for new and used sales tracking and
follow-up.
· Developed ongoing rewards program and incentive strategies for customer
retention.
· Worked closely with Sales, Service, and Parts departments to monitor customer
satisfaction and track performance for both initial satisfaction and complaint
resolution.
· Planned, implemented and represented dealership at community events such as
Concours d’Elegance at Sherwood Country Club; sponsorships of golf and tennis
tournaments at North Ranch Country Club; planned, promoted, and hosted annual
Easter Egg hunts.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Tour Guide, Stage Host, and Media Escort June 1990 – June 1993
Conducted guests through world’s largest working movie studio; demonstrated behind-
the-scenes techniques; interacted with guests one-on-one at Information Booth to resolve
complaints and alleviate confusion.
Nordstrom Topanga
Sales Associate June 1986 – September 1989
Advised and assisted patrons with purchasing decisions. The company’s emphasis is on
providing excellent customer service.
EDUCATION
Doctorate in Communication Theory, May 2004
University of Southern California
Master of Arts in Communication Theory, May 1999
University of Southern California
Master of Arts in Communication Management, May 1997
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 1992
California State University at Northridge