Rita Kumar

Rita Kumar is a Professor of English and the Director of Honors at the University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College and teaches courses in English Composition and Literature. She served as the inaugural executive director of the Faculty Enrichment Center from 2019-2023 where she provided the conceptual and organizational leadership for the center. She developed and oversaw the center’s core programming. As an interdisciplinary collaborator, trained in mentoring at the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) and with 27 years of teaching experience she created opportunities for programming that are based on the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

She is the 2013-14 recipient of the UCBA Innovative Teaching Award for her inventive use of Problem-based learning (PBL) in the classroom. She is the co-editor of the 2021 book, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education: Strategies for Teaching. Rita is a member of the UC Academy of Fellows for Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on Problem-based learning (PBL), Lesson Study, inclusive classroom practices, improving students’ information literacy skills and faculty development. She has shared her research globally in over one hundred professional presentations. Her work has been published in journals such as Teaching English in the Two-Year College, International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, College Teaching, To Improve the Academy and The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem Based Learning. Additionally, she serves as a reviewer for four journals. She serves on the Executive Board of the American Council on Education Women’s Network-Ohio (ACE WNO) and is the co-recipient of the 2019 UC-Dr. Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award for organizations.