Rachel DeSoto-Jackson on Diversity and Equity Initiatives

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - March 6, 2025 - PRLog -- Rachel DeSoto-Jackson has built a career at the intersection of education, theatre, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With over a decade of experience, she has designed strategic programs that foster inclusive learning environments, train leaders in DEI best practices, and facilitate meaningful conversations about equity. Her influence spans higher education, corporate consulting, and the arts, making her a respected voice in the field.

As Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Rachel leads faculty training and DEI initiatives. She collaborates with the Office of the Provost, oversees professional development programs, and manages strategic planning efforts to enhance teaching effectiveness. Under her leadership, IUP successfully transitioned to a new Learning Management System, improving accessibility and faculty engagement. She directs an interdisciplinary team and manages significant resources to support faculty and students.

Rachel is also a tenured professor at IUP, specializing in applied theatre, Latinx performance, and leadership training. She developed a DEI-focused certificate program, equipping students and professionals with skills to promote equity. Her expertise in simulation performance bridges theatre with real-world applications, particularly in healthcare. By training actors as Simulated Patients (SPs), she helps medical students refine communication and patient-care skills using best practices from the Association of Standardized Patient Educators.

Beyond academia, Rachel is a sought-after DEI consultant. She provides executive coaching, corporate training, and policy recommendations for major organizations, including Sheetz, Virginia Public Media, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Through Avent Diversity Consulting LLC and RDJ Creative Consulting, she develops customized DEI programs for institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Pittsburgh, and Saint Vincent Hospital. Her consulting work helps organizations implement sustainable DEI strategies and create inclusive workplaces.

Rachel holds an MFA in Performance Pedagogy and an MA in Theatre & Performance from the University of Pittsburgh, where she also earned a B.Phil in Theatre & Film Studies. Her academic background integrates social justice, applied theatre, and community engagement, allowing her to merge performance with DEI advocacy.

Her research contributions include The Performance of Caring: Theatre, Empathetic Communication, and Healthcare (Routledge, 2018) and A Process-Oriented Approach in Applied Theatre Programming with Youth (Routledge, 2022). She has also co-authored articles highlighting her thought leadership in DEI and applied theatre.

For inquiries, please contact:
https://racheldesotojackson.ourfeatured.com/