Rachel Swank
PhD Student, College of Education; Academic Advisor, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; VP for the Association of Teacher Educators Indiana Chapter (ATE-I); Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Chapter Counselor
Social Studies Education,
Curriculum and Instruction
Profile
Rachel M. Swank is an educator, advisor, and researcher with extensive experience in social studies education, teacher preparation, and intercultural learning. Currently serving as an Academic Advisor in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, she also co-leads study abroad programs and teaches intercultural communication. Her career spans K–12 teaching, teacher licensure compliance, childcare workforce development, and higher education advising. She brings a strong record of leadership, curriculum design, and cross-cultural engagement, with a particular focus on teacher self-efficacy and intercultural learning.
+ Education
+ Career Experience
+ Awards & Honors
+ Professional Appointments
+ Professional Affiliations/Memberships
Research & Publications
Rachel’s primary research examines the intersections of intercultural learning, teacher self-efficacy, and preservice teacher preparation. Her work explores how structured experiences- such as study abroad programs and intercultural communication coursework- strengthen self-efficacy in teaching practices and contribute to teacher retention.
+ Selected Publications
Advisor
Courses Typically Taught
Research Area / Dissertation Topic
Intercultural Learning and preservice teacher self-efficacy