Rachel Deems
President
Pulaski Academy
SAIS Member
Professional Bio
November 2024 update
Rachel Deems transitions from her current role as PA’s Interim Head of School into that of President of Pulaski Academy. Rachel will serve in this capacity through the 2025-26 school year and will focus on key strategic efforts for Pulaski Academy while leading our School Community. The Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision to appoint Rachel to this position reflects the steady leadership and experience that she has brought to our school and the love that she has developed for PA.
Prior to July 2024, Rachel Deems was named head of Spartanburg Day School in 2012. Under her leadership, the school reached its highest enrollment in almost 20 years and surpassed the strategic endowment goal. She previously served at two independent schools in Georgia: head of The Westfield School in Perry for four years and director of development at Stratford Academy in Macon for nine years. Prior to that, she served as chief administrative officer, assistant provost, and dean of students at Mercer University and director of alumnae affairs and vice president at Judson College.
Rachel has volunteered for the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, United Way of the Piedmont, Globalbike, the Rotary Club, and the Spartanburg Regional Hospital System. She also formerly served as a board member of both GISA and SAIS.
A native Alabamian, Rachel holds a B.A. from Judson College and an M.A. from The University of Alabama.
DSA Presentation Video: https://vimeo.com/763821400/15363ae01f
Rachel Deems transitions from her current role as PA’s Interim Head of School into that of President of Pulaski Academy. Rachel will serve in this capacity through the 2025-26 school year and will focus on key strategic efforts for Pulaski Academy while leading our School Community. The Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision to appoint Rachel to this position reflects the steady leadership and experience that she has brought to our school and the love that she has developed for PA.
Prior to July 2024, Rachel Deems was named head of Spartanburg Day School in 2012. Under her leadership, the school reached its highest enrollment in almost 20 years and surpassed the strategic endowment goal. She previously served at two independent schools in Georgia: head of The Westfield School in Perry for four years and director of development at Stratford Academy in Macon for nine years. Prior to that, she served as chief administrative officer, assistant provost, and dean of students at Mercer University and director of alumnae affairs and vice president at Judson College.
Rachel has volunteered for the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, United Way of the Piedmont, Globalbike, the Rotary Club, and the Spartanburg Regional Hospital System. She also formerly served as a board member of both GISA and SAIS.
A native Alabamian, Rachel holds a B.A. from Judson College and an M.A. from The University of Alabama.
DSA Presentation Video: https://vimeo.com/763821400/15363ae01f
School/Organization
Parent: Pulaski Academy
Awards
2022 SAIS Distinguished Service Award