Edited by Nao Aizawa ‘25
Meet Dr. Lori Kumler, an educational technologist within ITS!
Dr. Kumler stands in front of Escola Americana, an international school in Brazil.
Dr. Lori Kumler brings a wealth of international experience to her work at Denison, shaped by years of living, teaching, and researching abroad. Born and raised in central Ohio, Dr. Kumler ventured beyond her home state after high school, spending time in different states and countries, including Brazil, before returning to Ohio. With a deep passion for cultural exchange and education, she has spent time immersing herself in diverse environments, from the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro to academic settings across Brazil.
“I lived and worked in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for two years as a high school social studies teacher at the American school in Rio. It was a fantastic experience,” she recalls. “The school community was welcoming and engaging; not only did I live a few blocks from the Ipanema beaches for two years, but I also had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Brazil.”
Dr. Kumler travels by boat along the Amazon River
During this time, she became fluent in Portuguese, an experience that would shape her academic path. Her proficiency in Portuguese led her to a research assistant position at the University of Michigan, working with a Brazilian-American professor, before taking her back to Brazil for her master’s thesis. There, she continued the examination of the country’s water policy implementation as well as its cultural and educational landscapes throughout her Ph.D.
Even after transitioning into academia, Dr. Kumler maintained a strong connection with Brazil. As a professor, she returned multiple times for summer teaching programs in Florianópolis and a five-month teaching experience in Cuiabá.
Reflecting on her time abroad, she places an emphasis on the transformative power of cultural immersion: “There is no substitute for living abroad to better understand your own country and culture—its strengths and weaknesses—and to fully appreciate and participate in another culture. Travel is great, but it’s not the same as living and working abroad. You will grow more than you can imagine.”
Dr. Kumler was on her way back to Cuiaba.
These global experiences have profoundly influenced her approach to her work at Denison. “It’s hard to put into words,” Dr. Kumler says. “[Living abroad] gave me skills in understanding different cultures, communication styles, and people. My understanding and appreciation of the world and its diversity is broader. If I can adjust to living in a country where I can’t speak the language and eventually learn to speak it, I can adjust to all sorts of challenges,” she shares.
For two years, Dr. Kumler lived just blocks away from the famous Ipanema beaches.
Beyond her international experiences, Dr. Kumler has conducted a range of research projects on climate change standards in K-12 social studies education, factors influencing college student voting, and participation and equity in girls’ public school athletic programs. Her passion for inquiry and data analysis informs her work, and she enjoys helping others integrate technology into teaching and research.
Through her teaching and mentorship, she hopes to inspire students to embrace international experiences, step outside their comfort zones, and recognize the value of cross-cultural connections.