Dr. Tyler J.

Dr. James’s journey into dentistry was driven by a passion for mentorship, communication, and service. She holds a BA in communication from the University of Connecticut, where she graduated magna cum laude with honors distinctions as a New England Scholar and Communication Honors Scholar. She was also selected as the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement speaker, reflecting her excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Dr. James is currently pursuing a certificate in orthodontics and an MS at the University of Florida. She earned her DMD from the University of Connecticut, where she was inducted into the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, recognizing her outstanding academic achievement and professional character. During her time at UConn, she also received the Dr. Surender Nanda Memorial Orthodontics Award, the Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award, and the Excellence in Student Leadership Award from the Connecticut Area Health Education Center.

In addition to her role as President of the Student National Dental Association and the local chapter of the American Dental Education Association, she also held the role of social chair for the American Student Dental Association and launched a student-run podcast to highlight real-world issues in healthcare. Dr. James dedicated over 200 hours to community service during dental school, including a trip to Puerto Rico providing oral exams, cleanings, restorations, and extractions, along with ongoing local outreach in Connecticut.

Dr. James’ passion for mentorship took shape early, working as an organic chemistry tutor in college and delivering peer lectures in dental school, and deepened as she mentored high school students from pre-health backgrounds for four years. As a coach, she is especially skilled at helping students tell their stories with honesty and impact, providing thoughtful, structured feedback while meeting students exactly where they are.

Having entered dentistry as a non-traditional applicant herself, with no family background in healthcare and a major in communication, Dr. James understands the self-doubt and uncertainty that can arise on the journey, particularly for students with varied backgrounds. Her coaching style is grounded in strong communication, individualized support, and a belief that every story has value when told with clarity and confidence.