Ralph Vacca

Ralph Vacca is a culture, co-design, and technology studies scholar focusing on marginalization and innovation in the areas of mental health, and education. He is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University and affiliated with the program in New Media and Digital Design.

Ralph obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Communication and Technology at New York University. Prior work includes co-designing mental health technology with Latinx teens, parents with identities around feminist values, and middle school teachers creating data literacy curriculum. Before joining the Fordham faculty, Vacca co-founded a technology company in NY that designs mental health training simulations. Also, he currently serves as founder and faculty mentor of the Design for America (DFA) Fordham Studio that engages students in the use of design thinking to promote social innovation in a wide range of social issue areas.

Companies

• Assistant Professor Fordham University (2017)
• Visiting Assistant Professor New York University (2016 — 2017)
• Adjunct Faculty Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York (2012 — 2015)
• Digital Innovation New Visions for Public Schools (2011 — 2012)
• Co-Founder & Former Chief Learning Architect Kognito Interactive (2003 — 2012)
• Education Pioneers Fellow: Knowledge Management Achievement First (2010 — 2010)