Rachel DeSoto-Jackson
Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Rachel DeSoto-Jackson provides UDL-driven instructional design and training in empathetic communication, de-escalation, and enhanced verbal and nonverbal skills. She has over a decade of experience developing inclusive learning programs, training leaders in DEI best practices, and using theatre as a tool for social change.
Her expertise spans higher education, corporate consulting, and arts-based initiatives, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant.
As Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Rachel leads faculty training, strategic planning, and DEI initiatives. She oversees professional development programs, manages interdisciplinary teams, and collaborates with university leadership to improve teaching practices. She played a key role in transitioning IUP to a new Learning Management System, enhancing accessibility and engagement.
A tenured professor, Rachel specializes in applied theatre, Latinx performance, and leadership training. She created a DEI-focused certificate program and integrates theatre into healthcare education by training actors as Simulated Patients (SPs) to improve communication skills in medical fields.
Beyond academia, Rachel is a DEI consultant for organizations such as Sheetz, Virginia Public Media, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Through her work with Avent Diversity Consulting LLC and RDJ Creative Consulting, she develops DEI training programs and empathy-based initiatives for businesses and nonprofits, including the Smithsonian Institution and Saint Vincent Hospital.
She has served as President of Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc., and sits on the board of the Smithsonian Latino Center. She also chairs IUP’s Difficult Dialogues Initiative, fostering discussions on race, identity, and equity.
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. She has secured over $750,000 in grants for DEI programs and applied theatre initiatives.
Her work empowers institutions, businesses, and communities to create lasting change through education, policy development, and the arts. With a commitment to equity and innovation, Rachel DeSoto-Jackson continues to drive impact across multiple fields.