He has further interest in the role of asymmetric information in economic development. Erickson received a bachelor's degree in economics from Willamette University in 1980 and a Ph.D. in economics from Arizona State University in 1989. He joined the faculty of NMSU's College of Business in 1987. Erickson's main teaching interest lies in the area of economic development. Since 1993, he has maintained a forecasting model of the New Mexico economy. Erickson has lectured in Mexico, India and the United States and frequently speaks before civic organizations and business groups.