Biography

Rema Vassar, Ph.D, affectionately known as Dr. Rema earned her doctorate from UCLA in Urban Schooling and currently serves as Professor in the department of Administrative and Organizational Studies at Wayne State University’s College of Education. The author of many scholarly journal articles, her research interests include parent-school partnerships; race, gender, and class implications in schools; implications of policy and practice on student achievement and outcomes; and equity, justice, access, and inclusion for minoritized communities. In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Vassar has extensive experience in K-12 public education, having served over 20 years as a teacher, counselor, and principal. In 2020, Dr. Rema was elected to the Board of Trustees for an eight-year term that began January 1, 2021. She currently serves as the Board's Chair. In 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Dr. Vassar to the MiSTEM Advisory Council for a 3-year term. She maintains a steadfast commitment to community service through her partnerships with school districts across the state to develop students and educators’ transformative leadership skills. Dr. Rema is particularly committed to leadership development in Detroit where she resides with her husband and children.

Grants

2021-2023 The Principal Wellness Project funded by The Skillman Foundation
2021-2023 Centering Black Children Community Conference funded by the Michigan Department of Education
2021-2023 Black Parent Leadership Development funded by the Michigan Department of Education

Recent university news spotlights

• Wayne State University College of Education welcomes five new faculty members

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