Dr. Rachel S. White is an experienced educator, researcher, and program leader specializing in culturally relevant STEM education and program management. As the former Assistant Director of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC), Dr. Rachel S. White oversaw impactful STEM initiatives, including internship programs and data analysis for NASA’s OSTEM, while fostering key partnerships to enhance educational outreach and program development.

Dr. Rachel S. White earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Science Education from Old Dominion University, where her dissertation explored inclusive STEM interventions in high school science specifically on culturally relevant STEM. She also holds an M.S. in Physics from the University of Utah, a B.S. in both Physics and Applied 

Mathematics from Old Dominion University, and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from George Washington University.

With extensive experience in both K-12 and higher education, Dr. Rachel S. White served as the Coordinator of the Governor’s STEM Academy at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, where she developed innovative curricula and oversaw instructional improvement initiatives. She is also a Senior Research Associate at Virginia Commonwealth University, co-developing the Culturally Relevant STEM (CReST) curriculum and guiding teacher training for high school applications. Her research has been published in Education Sciences, reflecting her dedication to advancing STEM education through culturally responsive practices.

An award-winning educator, Dr. Rachel S. White has received honors including Teacher of the Year and the Virginia Association of Science Teachers’ RISE award. She actively serves on advisory committees for organizations such as the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD)