Dr. Rema
Teaches Educational Leadership at Wayne State University
Rema Reynolds Vassar, PhD has built a career centered on her passion for education and her deep commitment to advocating for marginalized, victimized, and overlooked individuals, particularly within the educational landscape. Focusing on social justice and support for underserved communities has shaped her professional path, making it clear that her life's work addresses inequities and transforms educational systems into more inclusive and equitable. Her leadership and advocacy have been foundational in her commitment to improving vulnerable student populations' academic and social outcomes.
Her expertise spans many areas, including educational leadership, school culture, organizational development, and school-community partnerships. She is exceptionally skilled in supporting teachers, counselors, and administrators in preparing to serve diverse, often underserved, communities. She also profoundly understands critical issues in education, such as race, gender, class, and the implications of policy and practice on student achievement. Dr. Rema’s dedication to promoting equity, justice, and inclusion for marginalized communities remains central to her efforts.
A Career Built on Service to Students and Communities
Rema Vassar’s career spans over two decades of dedicated service in public education. Her work as a teacher, counselor, and administrator has given her a unique perspective on how schools can best support their students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. She has spent a significant portion of her career advocating for better support systems and resources for students and families, with a focus on holistic wellness and community engagement.
Today, she continues her advocacy by working with parents and students to help build healthier, more supportive school environments. As a member of Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees, she continues to impact educational policy at the state level. Dr. Rema also serves as a professor at Wayne State University, where she teaches Educational Leadership, helping shape the next generation of educational leaders.
Empowering Communities Through Education
Dr. Rema firmly believes in the power of education to create positive change. Throughout her career, she has made it a goal to work closely with communities to ensure that education is a tool for empowerment. Known for her authenticity and commitment to the people she serves, she has developed a reputation for creating spaces where collective power can be actualized. She has dedicated her work to helping others discover their capacity for leadership and transformation.
Her work as a speaker and educator has taken her to conferences across the United States and over 20 countries, where she shares her vision for developing leaders committed to social justice, radical hope, and collective action. Her research centers on creating inclusive learning environments that respect and value cultural diversity.
Dr. Rema also consults for school districts nationwide, providing educators with the tools they need to improve educational practices, increase equity, and better meet the needs of all students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
Founding CBCE: A Movement for Black Children
In 2021, Dr. Rema founded the Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE), a movement to support Black children’s wellness, agency, and transformative leadership. CBCE offers an annual virtual conference, free and open to the public, where scholars, educators, and community members come together to share ideas, advocate for change, and celebrate Black students. This unique initiative goes beyond the typical academic focus of many educational organizations. It creates a space for communities to unite and push for structural changes that benefit Black children.
CBCE provides a platform for Black students, parents, and educators to connect, learn, and advocate for changes in the educational system. It is a space for resistance against policies and practices that have historically marginalized Black children, and it fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment for those involved. Through CBCE, Dr. Rema has helped create a “fugitive space,” a homeplace for communities to resist oppression and work towards equity in education.
Leading Well: Supporting Black Women in Education
Rema Vassar is also the founder of Leading Well, a program designed to support and empower Black women in educational leadership. She created Leading Well to recognize these leaders' challenges and provide them with resources, mentorship, and a strong community of like-minded professionals. The program is dedicated to ensuring that Black women in education have the tools to succeed and thrive in their roles.
Her influence extends beyond her work in education; Dr. Rema has been appointed to several prestigious boards, including the MiSTEM Advisory Council, and was co-chair of the 2024 American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting. Her commitment to social justice has earned her recognition, including Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Higher Education Award and the National Action Network’s MLK Dream Keepers Award.
The Sankofa Scholarship Foundation: Lifting Future Leaders
In addition to her work as an educator and advocate, Dr. Rema is dedicated to supporting the next generation of students through the Sankofa Scholarship Foundation. This nonprofit organization provides scholarships to young people pursuing higher education, helping them overcome financial obstacles and achieve their academic goals. She regularly hosts a charitable ball to fund the foundation, bringing together community leaders, educators, and families to support Sankofa's mission.
She also serves on two other nonprofit boards, MiLib and Friends of the Children Detroit. These organizations work to break the cycle of generational poverty by providing children with professional mentors who offer guidance, support, and inspiration. Rema Vassar continues to significantly impact young people's lives and communities through her leadership in these organizations.
A Strong Foundation in Higher Education
Dr. Rema’s career in higher education began with several notable teaching positions at institutions such as Eastern Michigan University, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Azusa Pacific University. She also served as a Global Instructor in Ethiopia, Kenya, Singapore, Haiti, and Ghana, teaching students from diverse cultural backgrounds. This international experience further deepened her understanding of education in global contexts and reinforced her belief in the power of education to bring about positive change in communities worldwide.
Dr. Rema’s academic background is equally impressive. She earned her doctorate in Urban Schooling from UCLA, graduating with honors distinction. Her dissertation focused on the involvement and engagement of Black middle-class parents in public secondary schools, specifically how they navigate their relationships with schools and the barriers they face in getting involved. She also holds a Master of Science in School Counseling from National University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Additionally, she has a BA in English with a minor in Communication and Secondary Education Curriculum from Western Michigan University, where she graduated cum laude.
A Prolific Writer and Advocate for Change
Rema Vassar is an accomplished writer whose work has been featured in several peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Her research covers many topics, including parent-school partnerships, the implications of race, gender, and class in schools, and the impact of policies on student outcomes. Through her writing, she advocates for greater inclusion and equity in education, providing valuable insights on how schools can better serve marginalized communities.
Dr. Rema’s Early Years and Lifelong Passion for Learning
Rema Vassar’s passion for education began in her childhood, thanks to her mother’s strong emphasis on the importance of learning. Her mother instilled in her a love for books, regularly taking her to the library and ensuring access to a wide range of literature. These early experiences laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to learning and ensuring that all children, especially those from underrepresented communities, have the resources they need to succeed.
As a young student, Dr. Rema spent countless hours in the library, reading books by authors such as Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and others. But it wasn’t until eighth grade, when she discovered a book by a Black author, that she fully realized the power of representation in literature. This moment shaped her relationship with books and fueled her desire to create educational spaces where all students can see themselves reflected in the curriculum.
Dr. Rema’s Lasting Legacy
Rema Reynolds Vassar's Ph.D. career reflects her unwavering commitment to social justice and educational equity. Through her advocacy, teaching, and leadership, she has worked to create educational systems that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Her legacy is one of transformative change, inspiring educators, students, and communities to strive for a more equitable and just future. Her impact on education and her dedication to supporting underserved communities will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
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Sankofa Scholarship Collective
