SUNY Brockport/REOC Dean named ABC Signature Citizen of the Year

Dr. Roosevelt Mareus, the dean and executive director of the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC), has been honored by Action for a Better Community (ABC) as its 2025 Signature Citizen of the Year.

ABC’s Signature Citizen of the Year is presented annually to recognize individuals whose professional and volunteer efforts have expanded opportunities and improved the quality of life for all in our community.

“His favorite word is yes,” said SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson, who nominated Dr. Mareus for the award. “When he becomes aware of a community need, he seeks to meet that need. He leans into problems and seeks solutions.”

Under the leadership of Dr. Mareus, the REOC has become one of the finest Educational Opportunity Centers in New York State. The REOC delivers comprehensive, community-based academic and workforce development programs and provides an array of support services that lead to enhanced employment opportunities, access to further education, personal growth, and development to eligible adult learners in Rochester.

As the leader of the REOC, Dr. Mareus focuses his team on empowering students and positively impacting the community. He strives to maintain the organization’s mission, vision, and values, which include serving “with compassion, dignity and respect.” Through his leadership, Dr. Mareus provides opportunities and services at REOC that help people to move toward self-sufficiency by overcoming challenges. He strives for excellence and quality in education and training and encourages each student to practice advocacy for themselves and others, to volunteer in the community, and to continue to have public service at the forefront of their education and career.

In addition to his work in the community, Dr. Mareus also continues to maintain a strong connection to his native Haiti. He made it his mission to give back to Haiti as soon as he was able because he could see the struggles that continued to occur there every day. He developed and launched “Elevate Haiti Ministries,” which worked to build an orphanage and school. Both organizations have thrived over the last 10 years, providing housing and education to male youth. Dr. Mareus visits often and brings others to volunteer, build, and support the organizations. He also empowers those who remain in Haiti to continue his work. He has supported several individuals as they have progressed to the United States – following the same journey as he did in his teens. This ministry has helped countless young men.

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