| Website | ritaoates.com |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, MN |
| Birthdate | 6/28/50 |
| University of Kansas, BS | 1972 |
| News-editorial journalism | |
| University of Kansas, BS | 1973 |
| Curriculum & Instruction | |
| Indiana University, MA | 1981 |
| Journalism | |
| Indiana University, PhD | 1988 |
| Mass Communication |