Curtis James, Ph.D. College of Aviation
ERAU - Prescott Campus

Curtis James

Curtis James

Dr. Curtis James began his career with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in January 2000, and was recently elected to the Board of Trustees in March 2006. Dr. James serves on the Academic and Facilities and Capital Planning Committees.

Dr. James holds a B.S. with honors in Atmospheric Science from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington. His areas of specialty include radar meteorology, mountain meteorology, and cloud dynamics. His Ph.D. dissertation explored the influences of terrain on the intensity and distribution of precipitation in mountainous regions, including results of his field research in the European Alps. He has published articles in Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, Weather and Forecasting, Monthly Weather Review, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, and Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.

Dr. James is an assistant professor of meteorology and recently submitted applications for both tenure and promotion. At ERAU, he has taught undergraduate courses on introductory meteorology, aviation weather, radar and satellite imagery, and thunderstorms. He also has supervised the design, installation, and management of state-of-the-art meteorological facilities in Academic Complex.

Dr. James has been a member of the Prescott Faculty Senate, chaired the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, and been involved in other service-related activities. He has particularly focused on improving the quality of student life through his contributions to the Haas Chapel planning committee, the SCEF Committee, the IE Committee, various faculty panels, the international student organizations, and student clubs.

He resides in Prescott with his wife Elaine and his children Vincent (11), Daniela (9), and Kevin (5). In his leisure time, he enjoys music, outdoors, travel, weather watching, photography, and spending time with family.