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 developed strategic programs that create inclusive learning environments, train leaders in DEI best practices, and promote meaningful conversations about equity. Her influence extends across 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 across the university. She collaborates with the Office of the Provost, manages strategic planning, and oversees professional development programs that improve teaching effectiveness. Under her leadership, IUP successfully transitioned to a new Learning Management System, enhancing faculty engagement and accessibility. She also directs an interdisciplinary team and manages a significant budget to ensure resources support faculty and students.
In addition to her administrative role, Rachel is a tenured professor at IUP, specializing in applied theatre, Latinx performance, and leadership training. She designed and launched a DEI-focused certificate program, equipping students and professionals with skills to promote equity in their fields. Her expertise in simulation performance bridges theatre with real-world applications, particularly in healthcare education. By training actors as Simulated Patients (SPs), she helps medical students develop stronger communication and patient-care skills based on best practices from the Association of Standardized Patient Educators.
Beyond academia, Rachel is a sought-after DEI consultant, providing executive coaching, corporate training, and policy recommendations for major organizations. She has worked with Sheetz, Virginia Public Media, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Through Avent Diversity Consulting LLC and RDJ Creative Consulting, she develops customized DEI training programs and empathy-based initiatives for institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Pittsburgh, and Saint Vincent Hospital. Her consulting work helps businesses and nonprofits create inclusive workplaces and implement sustainable DEI strategies.
Her leadership in equity and inclusion is evident in her extensive roles. As Director of DEI Student Training at the Frederick Douglass Institute, she led programs across 14 universities and launched the “Let Me Speak” initiative, fostering open dialogue on race and identity. She has also served as a grant reviewer for the Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office of Gender Equity and the MAP Fund’s Social Justice Arts & Culture category, ensuring funding supports impactful DEI initiatives.
Rachel holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Performance Pedagogy and a Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre & Performance from the University of Pittsburgh. She also earned a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil) in Theatre & Film Studies from the same institution. Her academic background bridges social justice, applied theatre, and community engagement, allowing her to connect performance with DEI advocacy.
Her commitment to service is reflected in her involvement with multiple organizations. She has served as President of Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc., an international group that uses theatre for social change. She is a board member of the Smithsonian Latino Center and chairs the Difficult Dialogues Initiative at IUP, leading discussions on race, identity, and equity. As a commissioner on IUP’s President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, she actively shapes institutional policies and programs.
Rachel has earned multiple certifications in ATIXA-Title IX and Disciplinary Board procedures, Anti-Racism Pedagogy, Diversity Awareness, and the Undoing Racism program by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. These credentials enhance her ability to facilitate workshops, guide policy development, and support organizations in creating inclusive environments.
Her research contributions are substantial. She authored The Performance of Caring: Theatre, Empathetic Communication, and Healthcare (Routledge, 2018) and contributed to A Process-Oriented Approach in Applied Theatre Programming with Youth (Routledge, 2022). She also co-authored The Year in Review: 2020-2021 Letter from the Co-Presidents, published in the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Journal, highlighting her thought leadership in DEI and applied theatre.
Rachel has secured over $750,000 in grants to support DEI training, applied theatre initiatives, and interdisciplinary research. Her ability to manage large-scale projects has had a lasting impact on institutions and organizations seeking to integrate equity-driven strategies into their work.
Her career is defined by a passion for education, inclusion, and the transformative power of theatre. Whether through teaching, consulting, or leadership, Rachel DeSoto-Jackson continues to push boundaries, ensuring that DEI principles are embedded in institutions, businesses, and communities. Her work empowers individuals and organizations to create lasting change, making her a leading advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across multiple fields.
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