Her research focuses on ways to use technology and the appropriate pedagogical strategies to narrow the college readiness gap for disadvantaged students at two-year colleges. Currently, she is working on three major projects: (1) digital storytelling as a way to help struggling writers; (2) use of small “chunks” of time (during subway commute, between classes) and the convenience of mobile technology to practice language skills; and (3) videos created by students on academic literacy skills. She has also been keenly following the evolution of MOOCs on basic writing. Bandi-Rao received her Ph. D. in Applied Linguistics from New York University. During her free time, she dabbles in amateur astronomy. Bandi-Rao can be contacted at sbandirao@bmcc.cuny.edu.