Deb Erickson wanted to be a teacher from a very young age, inspired by her father who was a career teacher and her mother who taught Sunday school for over two decades. Because of that inspiration, Erickson has been a full-time professor and the assistant dean of the Graduate School of Education at California Lutheran University, directed an educational leadership program for six years and most recently, has served as dean of the School of Education at Point Loma Nazarene University since 2013.
As Erickson prepares to retire following the spring semester, she still hopes to live within her calling to education, just in new ways.
The Point conducted an email interview with Erickson to reflect on her time at PLNU leading up to her retirement.
The Point: Do you have a favorite memory or most impactful moment from your time on the faculty?
Deb Erickson: It’s hard to name just one, because the most meaningful moments have always been relational rather than singular events. I think of the quiet conversations with faculty and staff, and especially the times when our community came together in seasons of challenge and grace. Those moments — when learning, faith and purpose intersect — have been the most impactful. They remind me that education is not just about content, but about formation. I have been grateful to be able to live into my calling while in the PLNU community.
TP: What legacy do you hope to leave behind at PLNU?
DE: I hope my legacy is one of radical hospitality — creating spaces where people feel seen, valued and invited into their fullest potential. If candidates, faculty and colleagues experienced this as a place where they could grow with integrity, lead with compassion and pursue their calling with courage, then I would consider that meaningful. More than programs or initiatives, I hope what remains is a culture of belonging and care. I love that our mission is by serving others, we serve God and that we prepare educators to be the hands and feet of Christ in the communities in which they are called.
TP: What will you miss the most about being a professor?
DE: Without question, the people. I will miss the energy and curiosity of students, the shared sense of purpose with colleagues and the daily opportunities to walk alongside others in their growth. There is something sacred about being invited into someone’s learning journey, and I will deeply miss those relationships and the rhythms of academic life that make them possible.
TP: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
DE: I would tell myself to trust the slow work of growth and not rush the journey. Pay attention to people more than outcomes, and don’t be afraid to lead with both conviction and compassion. The things that matter most — character, relationships and purpose — are formed over time, not in a moment. And perhaps most importantly, hold everything with a sense of grace.
TP: What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
DE: I’m looking forward to a different pace — one that allows for reflection, creativity and deeper presence with family and community. I hope to continue mentoring in new ways, to write and think more intentionally, and to remain connected to the work of education and leadership, just from a different vantage point. Retirement feels less like an ending and more like a new chapter of vocation and possibility.
Grace Chaves 
Kailyn Collette