Kandice Henderson enters her fifth season as Head Cheer Coach at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she has established a culture centered on discipline, confidence, and holistic student-athlete development. Under her leadership, the CSUDH cheer program has steadily elevated its competitive profile, earning a Top 10 national ranking in its division and achieving a notable sixth-place finish at the USA Collegiate Championships.
Coach Kandice brings a comprehensive cheer background that spans youth, high school, and collegiate levels. She began her career with the Leimert Park Chargers in Pop Warner before advancing to Junípero Serra High School, where she served as team captain. She continued her collegiate career at Tuskegee University, again earning the role of captain and demonstrating strong leadership both on and off the mat. During her senior year, she assisted with Tuskegee’s cheer program, gaining valuable early experience in collegiate coaching and program support.
A national champion, Coach Kandice integrates her competitive experience into a coaching philosophy that emphasizes technical excellence, accountability, and team cohesion. Her coaching background includes work at the elementary and Pop Warner levels, equipping her with the ability to develop athletes across all stages of growth while fostering a strong foundation of fundamentals and character.
Coach Kandice holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tuskegee University and a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, with a concentration in Human Resources, from Touro University Worldwide. Her academic training informs her leadership approach, particularly in the areas of athlete development, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
Committed to sustained excellence, Coach Kandice continues to advance the CSUDH cheer program through competitive success, a strong and inclusive team culture, and a lasting impact on her student-athletes both on and off the mat.
