Rachel Craft became a member of the UMSL Department of Sociology in the late 20th century as an undergraduate Sociology major, where she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Sociology in 2007.  Her interests in teaching and research on social inequality, social movements, social psychology, sociological theory, health, medicine and drugs in contemporary society were cultivated during these formative years at UMSL Sociology; and then grew to encompass media studies, public policy, globalization, the environment, climate change and demography with an emphasis on population aging.   

Rachel rejoined UMSL Sociology as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in 2015, and then as an Assistant Teaching Professor in 2017. Teaching in sociology and related fields is her vocation, wherein she strives to instill a critical and empowered consciousness with an engaged sociological imagination grounded in the ethical practice of social science so that students are equipped with the tools to analyze complex social phenomena and inform social change in the St. Louis community and beyond.  She is currently working on co-authored research focused on teaching students how to learn and talk about social issues that can be tough and sensitive to deal with.  Email Rachel anytime to set up an appointment for advising or just to talk about sociology and gerontology.