Rita Canton

Rita Canton serves as the Director of Engineering Outreach for the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. In this role, she coordinates outreach initiatives within the college, devising strategies and broadening opportunities to engage K-12 teachers, students, and Out of School Time providers, with the goal of building a more diverse community of engineers.

Before joining Carnegie Mellon, Rita dedicated 25 years to serving as an educator and principal in Pittsburgh’s Catholic Schools. Her roles included teaching Mathematics and serving as Campus Minister at North Catholic High School in Troy Hill, as well as teaching Mathematics, Science, and Religion at St. Benedict the Moor School in the Hill District. Rita also assumed leadership roles as Principal and Head of School at Holy Rosary School in Homewood, Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy (which she co-founded in 2010), Vincentian Academy in North Hills, and Nazareth Prep in Emsworth. Rita’s extensive experience in K-12 education and administration within underserved communities highlights her commitment to advocating for equitable educational access for all students.

Rita Canton earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. She holds a Master of Theology from Xavier University in Louisiana and completed Master of Education programs at Chatham University and the University of Scranton. Her certifications in secondary math and educational administration and leadership underscore her dedication to academic excellence and effective leadership in educational settings.

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Rita attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Rita and her husband, Mike, who have been married for 39 years, are proud parents of three sons: Tye, Alex, and Stephen.