Rita Brusca-Vega, Ed.D., is Associate Professor of Special Education at Purdue University Calumet where she teaches courses on identification and assessment of students with disabilities and teaching methodology for inclusive classrooms.  Dr. Brusca-Vega received her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and her Doctorate in Education from Northeastern Illinois University in Special Education, including areas of concentration such as behavior disorders, learning disabilities, applied behavior analysis, and mental retardation. 

Dr. Brusca-Vega has extensive project management experience as a project director and member of project teams.  She has received numerous grants from the U.S. Department of Education in special education personnel preparation and other areas, including a recent innovation and research grant on teaching science in inclusive classrooms.  She has experience as an author and presenter on disability issues, is familiar (as a former direct service provider) with the needs of individuals with severe disabilities, and has served as an advocate on the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.