Yogita Maharaj PhD Student - Technical Communication & Rhetoric

I am a PhD student in technical communication and rhetoric with interests in writing pedagogy, workplace writing, and community-engaged research. My research examines how first-generation and historically marginalized students navigate the transition from university writing to workplace communication, emphasizing the critical role of mentorship, feedback, and other relational support systems in writing transfer and professional success. I am also a senior continuing lecturer of first-year writing at the University of California at Merced in the Merritt Writing Program.  

Education

Graduate Certificate, Texas Tech, Teaching Technical and Professional Writing, Lubbock, TX 

MA - Mills College, Oakland, CA, 2005

BA - California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, 2003

Presentations

Redesigning Technical Communication Courses Through Civic Engagement and Rhetorical Ethics. Panel presentation with Madiha Patel and Bay VanWagenen. SIGDOC, October 2026.

Ethical Chatbot Integration: Enhancing Student Retention and Business Communication in Higher Education. Association for Business Communication, October 2025.

Courses Taught

Writing 1 - Academic Writing, University of California at Merced

Writing 10 - Reading & Composition, University of California at Merced

Writing 30 - Introduction to Professional Writing, University of California at Merced

Writing 90 - Academic Discourse Skills, University of California at Merced

Writing 100 - Advanced Writing, University of California at Merced

Writing 101 - Writing in Psychology, University of California at Merced

Writing 118 - Management Communication, University of California at Merced

Writing 130 - Special Topics in Professional Writing, University of California at Merced