Professor Rajiv Rao has been awarded an appointment as a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor. This coveted professorship recognizes “UW–Madison faculty members whose distinguished scholarship has advanced the confines of knowledge, and whose excellence also includes teaching or service. Faculty members receiving this award keep the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship title for the duration of their careers.”
Dr. Rao’s research combines theoretical sophistication in phonology with expertise in language pedagogy, experimental linguistics, and sociolinguistic identity. He has pioneered innovative methodologies for sound analysis and distinguished himself as a leader within heritage linguistics and Spanish studies in particular.
Dr. Rao is the (co-)author of multiple edited volumes, one textbook, and dozens of articles published in top-notch printing houses. Dr. Rao routinely mentors and includes graduate and undergraduate students in his research projects, and has received numerous teaching awards, including the Emil Steiger Distinguished Teaching Award in 2013. Currently he serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Heritage Language Journal. In addition to his service to the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, he currently serves as Director of the Language Sciences Program.
Perhaps, more importantly, as one of his colleagues mentioned: “Beyond his academic strengths, Dr. Rao’s personality stands out. Despite his remarkable talents, he remains down-to-earth and modest. He has a natural gift for making others feel comfortable and valued during discussions and conversations.”
Congratulations, Rajiv!!