Bennett Rafoth

Bennett Rafoth is a Professor of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, serving since 1987. He currently directs the IUP Writing Center and previously held leadership roles including Director of Graduate Studies in Composition and TESOL (2006-2009) and interim Dean of IUP Libraries (1997-1998). In 2010-11, he received the prestigious Distinguished University Professor Award recognizing his scholarly contributions.

His research centers on writing center pedagogy, multilingual writer support, and composition theory. He advocates for specialized tutor training to address challenges faced by non-native English speakers in academic writing, emphasizing cultural diversity in writing center practices. His work bridges linguistic theory with practical writing center applications.

Scientific Awards

• Distinguished University Professor Award (2010-11)
• International Writing Centers Association Book of the Year Award (2005)
• National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing Distinguished Leadership Award (2002)

Rafoth secured over $383,000 in research grants for initiatives including Young Scientists for Pennsylvania and Rural Scholars Program. He actively mentors students in conference presentations and serves on numerous university committees, demonstrating strong institutional engagement.

As director of the IUP Writing Center—a high-traffic hub serving diverse student needs—he leads teams focused on writing pedagogy innovation. His current projects include developing specialized resources for multilingual writers and establishing a comprehensive online writing center for distance learners.