You are here: American University School of Education Faculty Profile Page

Back to top

No Profile Picture

Ricky Fountain Adjunct Instructor SOE Faculty

Contact
Ricky Fountain
SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Degrees
M.A. Arizona State University

B.A. University of Michigan

Bio
Ricky is a lifelong educator, who has served underrepresented communities and students for the duration of his career. Ricky’s educational journey as a professional began in Detroit, Michigan, as a kindergarten teacher on the westside of the city. Ricky transitioned from teaching students directly to leading schools and leading districts. Ricky has served in these roles in traditional public schools as well as charter school districts: School Principal, Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. Always drawn to work for and work within communities in need educational reformation, Ricky has helped develop and facilitate systems of reconfiguration and efficacy in multiple districts. For Ricky’s lifelong commitment to educating black and brown students and building systems of micro and macro level success, he was honored as the Black Enterprise Modern Man of Distinction in 2019.
Ricky has served as a Lecturer at the University of Michigan since 2004. Ricky specifically targeted work within the Comprehensive Studies Program at the University of Michigan—as it was at the time and is the academic unit that works explicitly to support minority and non-traditional university students. While teaching courses in College Writing, College Writing and Analytical Thinking, and Race and Ethnicity, Ricky has developed and utilized multiple pedagogical strategies to engage and strengthen academic capacity of his students within the context of higher education. Ricky recognizes that effectively educating students within the K-12 realm is pointless, if students do not have the bandwidth to effectively matriculate the complex maelstrom that Higher Education can be for minority, first generation, or non-traditional students.
Ricky’s commitment to educating students, leading adults, and dismantling oppressive systems has led him to researching the topic of Structural Racism in Medicine and its impact on the Detroit community specifically and underrepresented communities at large. Ricky has provided academic content and outreach for medical leaders and professionals within the Detroit community. Ricky has facilitated professional development for physicians, medical executives, and clinicians on Structural Racism: History, Health, and the Hereafter.
Ricky currently serves as a Detroit Leads Mentor Coach for Aspiring Leaders in Detroit as well as the Educational Advisor for the Latinx Undergraduate Medical Association.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.