Dr. Rema
Michigan State University’s (MSU) Board of Trustees
Rema Reynolds Vassar, PhD has dedicated her career to improving education, focusing on advocating for marginalized students. Her work centers on ensuring that all children, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, have access to the tools and support they need to succeed. A passion for equity and inclusion drives her career as she strives to create educational environments that nurture the potential of every student.
With expertise in educational leadership, policy advocacy, and community engagement, Dr. Rema works to dismantle the barriers that often hinder students from underserved communities. Her career has been marked by a strong commitment to addressing systemic inequities within the education system, particularly those affecting minority and low-income students. Through her work, she aims to create schools that empower students, enrich communities, and promote positive, lasting change.
A Career Focused on Student-Centered Leadership
Rema Vassar’s professional journey spans over two decades, beginning in K-12 education, where she worked in various roles, including teacher, counselor, and school administrator. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring that schools are academically rigorous and socially and emotionally supportive. Her work has been intensely focused on fostering inclusive learning environments where students feel valued and supported in their educational journeys.
Currently, Dr. Rema is a professor of Educational Leadership at Wayne State University, where she teaches future leaders how to build schools that support every student. She also serves as a member of Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees, helping to shape the direction of educational policy at the state level. Her dual roles in academia and policy-making allow her to influence educational practices from the classroom to broader institutional levels.
Advocating for Transformative Change in Education
Rema Vassar believes deeply in the power of education to create lasting change. Throughout her career, she has worked to empower students, teachers, and communities to challenge the status quo and work toward an education system that better reflects their needs and aspirations. She encourages collaboration and community engagement, believing that when schools, parents, and students work together, they can create transformative educational environments.
Her work has taken her across the United States and abroad, where she has presented at conferences and taught in over 20 countries. Rema Vassar focuses on building leadership skills that enable educators to create culturally responsive, student-centered environments that support all learners. She has also researched how race, gender, and socioeconomic status influence educational experiences and outcomes.
Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE)
In 2021, Dr. Rema founded the Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE), an initiative that centers on the needs and experiences of Black children in education. CBCE aims to create spaces where Black students, families, and educators can unite to celebrate Black children and address their educational challenges. The initiative hosts an annual free virtual conference that allows participants to engage in meaningful conversations, discuss solutions, and advocate for policy changes that support Black children’s success.
CBCE is unique in focusing on academic achievement and the holistic development of Black children, ensuring they are celebrated and supported in all areas of their lives. Dr. Rema’s leadership in CBCE has allowed her to create a platform for empowerment where Black children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Leading Well: Empowering Black Women in Education
Another key initiative Rema Vassar founded is Leading Well, a program to support and empower Black women in educational leadership roles. Recognizing the unique challenges Black women face in these positions, she created Leading Well to provide mentorship, resources, and a supportive community for these women. Through this initiative, she is helping to elevate the voices and leadership of Black women in education, ensuring that they have the tools and support necessary to succeed and thrive.
Vassar’s work in Leading Well aligns with her broader goal of diversifying educational leadership and ensuring that schools and districts reflect their communities. The program also fosters leadership skills that empower participants to become advocates for educational equity and social justice.
The Sankofa Scholarship Foundation: Investing in Future Generations
Dr. Rema also founded the Sankofa Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Through this foundation, she works to remove financial barriers that prevent many students from underrepresented communities from attending college. The foundation helps students achieve their educational goals by providing critical financial support, empowering them to succeed in college and beyond.
In addition to Sankofa, Vassar serves on the boards of MiLib and Friends of the Children Detroit, which work to support children in underserved communities by providing mentorship and resources. These organizations play a crucial role in helping break the cycle of poverty, ensuring that children have the support they need to succeed academically and personally.
A Strong Foundation in Academia and Research
Vassar’s academic background includes a doctorate in Urban Schooling from UCLA, where she graduated with honors distinction. She also holds a Master of Science in School Counseling and an Administrative Credential from National University, graduating magna cum laude. Her research has focused on understanding the intersection of race, class, and education, particularly how parental involvement impacts students' academic experiences.
Her academic work continues to guide her as she leads initiatives to improve education for marginalized communities. Dr. Rema has published extensively on these topics and remains influential in educational research and policy.
Dr. Rema’s Legacy of Advocacy and Change
Rema Reynolds Vassar, PhD, has dedicated her career to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, especially those from marginalized communities. Through her leadership, advocacy, and research, she has created lasting change in the education system, empowering students, educators, and families to work together for a more inclusive and equitable future. Her legacy of advocacy and transformation continues to inspire the next generation of educators and leaders to build a more just education system.
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