Rema Vassar

Dr. Rema Vassar is a Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Wayne State University's College of Education and serves on Michigan State University's Board of Trustees. As a former K-12 educator and administrator, her work focuses on equity, transformative leadership, and community-centered advocacy. She founded Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE), a movement promoting wellness and agency for Black students, and Leading Well, a program supporting Black women in educational leadership.

Her research examines systemic inequities through critical frameworks, with emphases on:

• Critical race theory applications in educational spaces
• Transformative leadership models for marginalized communities
• Parent and student agency in policy advocacy
• Intersectional analysis of race, class, and gender in schools

Her publications consistently explore racial justice themes, with recent works analyzing hashtag activism, post-racial narratives, and community literacies. Over 50% of her articles employ critical race theory to deconstruct systemic barriers in education.

Honors & Grants:

• 2025 Top U.S. Education Scholar
• The Principal Wellness Project (2021-2025, Skillman Foundation)
• Centering Black Children Conference (2021-2025, Michigan DOE)
• LIFT-TQP Grant (2023-2026, U.S. DOE)

She directs CBCE's annual conference and the Leading Well initiative, creating platforms for Black educational stakeholders. Current courses include graduate seminars in administrative theory (EPS9600) and general administration (EPS8710).