Dr. MariaRosa Rangel is a distinguished educational leader with more than 30 years of experience dedicated to advancing student success through family engagement, bilingual education, and community partnerships. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering families, supporting multilingual learners, and creating meaningful connections between schools and communities. Dr. Rangel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bilingual/Bicultural and Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. She later obtained a Master of School Administration and a Doctor of Education from North Carolina State University. Throughout her career, she has served in numerous educational leadership roles, including bilingual elementary teacher, GED instructor, Spanish and ESL teacher, assistant principal, district LEP/Dual Language Director, and Senior Administrator for Latino Outreach. Currently, Dr. Rangel serves as the Director of Family and Community Engagement for the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), one of the largest school districts in the nation. In this role, she leads districtwide initiatives that strengthen partnerships among schools, families, and community organizations to improve student outcomes. She oversees the WCPSS Family Academy, which provides free educational workshops, resources, and learning opportunities for families throughout Wake County.Additionally, she delivers professional development and coaching to educators on effective family engagement practices and strategies for supporting diverse communities.Beyond her K–12 leadership, Dr. Rangel serves as an Adjunct Professor at William Peace University, where she prepares future educators to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse students and families through culturally responsive teaching practices.A respected advocate and leader within the Latino community, Dr. Rangel holds numerous leadership positions, including:
- President, North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP)
- Board Member and Secretary, North Carolina Education Corps
- Board Member, YMCA of the Triangle
- Board Member, Kramden Institute
- Member, Triangle Martin Luther King Committee
- Member, Consulate General of Mexico Local IME Scholarship Committee
- Member, ALPES (Alianza Latina Proeducación en Salud)
- Member, Capítulo Raleigh Red Global MX (Raleigh Mexican Global Chapter)
She also served for many years as both a member and chair of Governor Roy Cooper’s Latino Advisory Board, advising on issues affecting Latino communities across North Carolina. Dr. Rangel’s contributions to education and community leadership have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards and honors. These include the Latino Diamante Award in Education, the “Orgullo de Nuestra Comunidad” Award presented by Univision 40, recognition as Latino Leader of the Week by WARL-HOLA NC and FOX 50, and the Ohtli Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Government of Mexico upon individuals living abroad for their exceptional service to the Mexican community.Additional recognitions include the LIFT Innovator Award for Equity and Inclusion, acknowledgment by ABC11 during Hispanic Heritage Month for her leadership in family and community engagement, designation as Hispanic-Latina Woman of the Year by Hispanic-Latino Ecosystem Partners, and the Innovative Academia Leader Award presented by the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina for her leadership of the WCPSS Family Academy Parent Workshop Program. Through her visionary leadership, advocacy, and dedication to educational excellence, Dr. Rangel continues to make a lasting impact on students, families, educators, and communities throughout North Carolina and beyond.
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn