Dr. Rema

Dr. Rema has committed her career to advocating for educational equity, focusing mainly on serving marginalized communities. Her work aims to provide students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, with the tools and support they need to succeed in the educational system.

With a strong background in educational leadership, school culture, and organizational development, Rema Vassar has worked in local and global contexts. She has supported educators, counselors, and administrators in addressing critical issues such as race, gender, and class in schools. Her expertise also includes how policies and practices impact student achievement, focusing on promoting equity, access, and inclusion for all students.

Vassar has over two decades of experience in K-12 education, having served in roles ranging from teacher to counselor to administrator. Today, she works to enhance the wellness and engagement of school communities by fostering collaboration between students, parents, and educators. She also serves on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees and teaches in the Educational Leadership program at Wayne State University.

Vassar's belief in the power of education to drive social change is central to her work. She has dedicated her career to creating spaces where communities can advocate for change. Her presentations and research have been shared at conferences across the U.S. and more than 20 countries, focusing on inclusive leadership and advancing equity in education.

In 2021, Vassar founded Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE), an initiative focused on Black children's well-being and academic success. CBCE hosts an annual free virtual conference where educators, parents, and community leaders gather to address Black students' specific challenges. The conference advocates for systemic change and provides a platform for resistance against the historical and ongoing marginalization of Black children in education.

In addition to CBCE, Vassar founded Leading Well, a program to support Black women in educational leadership. The program offers resources, mentorship, and a strong community to help these women thrive in their roles. She is also involved in the Sankofa Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to students pursuing higher education.

Her passion for education was inspired by her mother, who instilled a lifelong love of learning. This foundation continues to influence her work as she strives to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.