Rachel Vassel serves as the associate vice president, office of multicultural advancement, where she leads diverse alumni engagement and fundraising at Syracuse University. Previously, as the assistant vice president of the Office of Program Development, she and her team host SU's groundbreaking triennial Black and Latino alumni reunion, "Coming Back Together (CBT)," targeted regional events and trips, and has oversight for the Our Time Has Come (OTHC) Scholarship program (benefitting high-performing Black and Latino students with financial need). Under her leadership, these targeted programs have resulted in a 60 percent increase in Black and Latino alumni gifs.

Prior to joining Syracuse, Vassel led nationwide multicultural marketing at the American Cancer Society's Atlanta headquarters. She also enjoyed a 20-year career in brand marketing and account management, holding leadership positions with Tribune/Central City Productions, Turner Broadcasting, The Weather Channel, Music Choice and Young and Rubicam.