After more than 20 years of teaching in public schools, Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt completed her doctoral studies in Reading and Language Arts at Syracuse University. Her dissertation, Cultural Conflict and Struggle: Literacy Learning in a Kindergarten Program received recognition by the International Reading Association and was published by Peter Lang. As a Professor of Literacy at Le Moyne College, she teaches courses in the elementary and secondary programs and has developed a model, known as the ABC's of Cultural Understanding and Communication. This model is implemented around the world and helps elementary and secondary teachers communicate and connect with families and communities and design culturally responsive literacy lessons. Recently Dr. Ruggiano Schmidt was the recipient of the International Reading Association, Elva Knight Research Award. This work has promoted the study of links between literacy learning and culturally responsive teaching in urban and rural elementary and secondary schools.

Presently, Dr. Ruggiano Schmidt lives with her husband, Tom, next to a small lake and golf course in East Syracuse, New York.