Wayne State University College of Education Professor Rema Vassar named 2025 Top U.S. Education Scholar
Rema Vassar, professor of educational leadership and policy studies in the Wayne State University College of Education, has been named a Top U.S. Education Scholar. This prestigious recognition highlights the significant impact of Vassar’s research and scholarship on the field of education.
Education Week recently unveiled its 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings, recognizing the top 200 U.S. scholars shaping education policy and practice. Led by American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick Hess, a 24-member committee selected these scholars from 20,000 researchers based on criteria such as book authorship, citation frequency, inclusion in college syllabi, and media mentions. Now in its 15th year of publication, this comprehensive analysis considers various factors to identify the most influential voices in the field.
"I am deeply honored to be recognized as a 2025 Top U.S. Education Scholar by Education Week," said Vassar. "This recognition is a testament to the collaborative and supportive climate Wayne State University’s College of Education has created. Dean Denise and my exceptional colleagues provide me with the opportunity to pursue my research passions and contribute to the field of education. I am grateful to my students and research collaborators for their passion and inspiration."
An experienced K-12 public school teacher, counselor, and administrator, Vassar is committed to increasing equity and access for all children. Her research focuses on improving the holistic wellness of school communities. Vassar’s work has been widely published in leading education journals, including the Journal of African American Males in Education, Journal of Family Theory and Review, Teachers College Record, and Race, Ethnicity, and Education. She has also presented her findings at numerous national and international conferences and received numerous awards and honors for her scholarly contributions.
Vassar is also the founder and chief executive officer of Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE), a nonprofit that hosts an annual free, virtual conference that brings educators, parents, students, researchers, community leaders and others together to celebrate the power and potential of Black children. This year, CBCE is also offering two events for graduate students: the Sankofa Graduate Student Conference on February 21 and the Sankofa Research Intensive from June 15-22. To learn more, visit cbceconference.info.
"We are proud of Dr. Rema," said Denise Taliaferro Baszile, dean of the College of Education. "The work she is doing not only advances our understanding of education but also has the potential to significantly improve student outcomes and the wellbeing of administrators, teachers, students and parents. This well-deserved honor is a testament to Dr. Rema’s commitment to excellence in research and to making a real difference in the lives of Black children, families and communities."