Rachel Ketai

Rachel Ketai is a Lecturer in the Writing Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), within the Humanities Division of the UCLA College. Her academic background includes a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English from the University of Arizona, where she specialized in composition theory, pedagogy, and writing assessment. She holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Michigan (2000–2004).

Her research interests center on the rhetorical legacies of affirmative action, the politics of remediation, and equity in higher education. She examines how language choices shape perceptions of college readiness, particularly in admissions essays and composition course placements.

Rachel has extensive teaching experience, including roles at El Camino College, where she supported underrepresented students through the Puente Program and mentored those in the Honors Transfer Program. Her current courses emphasize critical reflection on student identities and literacies, fostering an inclusive intellectual environment. She advocates for public schools and engages in creative non-fiction writing.