Wellbeing is Success: Dr. Marie-Michelle Rosemond’s Journey

What does it take to spark a passion for teaching at the age of eight? For Dr. Marie-Michelle Rosemond, affectionately known as “Rosie,” it began in a small church alongside her father, co-teaching English as a Second Language. This early experience lit a fire within her—a fire that would grow into a lifelong mission to educate, inspire, and lead.

Born to immigrants parents who sought a different life beyond the challenges of inner-city Brooklyn, Rosie’s family relocated to a rural town in Florida. How does a young girl from Brooklyn transition to the quiet rhythms of rural life and find her calling in the process? For Rosie, the answer lay in the classroom, where her love of learning deepened, and her vision for the future began to take shape.

After graduating from the University of Florida, Rosie stepped into her first teaching role in Sarasota, Florida, working in Middle School Special Education. What motivates someone to dedicate their career to students with unique needs? For Rosie, it was the belief that every child deserves an education tailored to their strengths and potential. Seeking new opportunities for balance and growth, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. By day, she taught in Clayton County schools, and by night, she refined her ESL teaching skills with adult learners. These experiences shaped her belief that education should be accessible to all—regardless of age or circumstance.

But how does one balance ambition, education, and motherhood? With her young son by her side, Rosie pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Maine-Orono. Through roles in residence life, athletics, and disability services, she gained a unique perspective that bridged K-12 and higher education. These experiences planted the seeds for her future leadership roles.

Rosie’s journey next led her to Kent State University and the University of Michigan, where she lectured, supported students, and honed her skills as an educator and advocate. In 2015, she earned a PhD in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. What lessons do 25 years of teaching and leadership reveal? For Rosie, it was the understanding that the transition from high school to college is not just a step—it’s a leap requiring support, vision, and a belief in one’s potential.

Her work didn’t stop in the classroom. Rosie embraced leadership roles, managing TRIO programs, Summer Enrichment initiatives, and First-Year Experience programs. These programs opened doors for countless students, and her research shared at conferences across the nation further solidified her impact. Alongside her academic work, she authored two children’s books and multiple scholarly articles, leaving a lasting legacy in print and practice.