KENNESAW, Ga. | May 18, 2018

Veteran educator brings wealth of experience in leadership and community engagement

Following a nationwide search, Kennesaw State University has appointed Cynthia Reed as dean of the Bagwell College of Education, effective August 6.

Reed comes to Kennesaw State from Northern Kentucky University, where she has been dean of the College of Education and Human Services since 2014. Reed succeeds Arlinda Eaton, who is retiring June 30 following 10 years as dean of the Bagwell College of Education.

“Dr. Cynthia Reed is an accomplished scholar and transformational leader committed to meeting the needs of the P-12 and post-secondary education communities,” said Linda Noble, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The Bagwell College has established itself as a leader through a number of education initiatives, and I am confident that she will work closely with faculty, staff and students in the Bagwell College and our community and P-12 partners to lead the College to new heights.”

As dean of Northern Kentucky University’s College of Education and Human Services, Reed led the development of the strategic plan for the college, established a dean’s development council, and supported the development of new academic programs, minors and certificates in response to regional needs and national trends. The college strengthened its community engagement in multiple ways such as  by expanding partnerships with P-12 and nonprofits and by hosting Think Tanks, which feature prominent speakers and experts that engage attendees in dialogue that promote individual and collective commitments to action to foster change.

Prior to NKU, Reed enjoyed a distinguished tenure at Auburn University. From 2002-2014, she served as the director of Auburn’s Truman Pierce Institute, an outreach unit of the College of Education to improve schools and communities. Reed was a faculty member at Auburn from 1997-2014 and in 2011 was named the Emily R. and Gerald S. Leischuck Endowed Professor of Educational Leadership.

“I am impressed by Kennesaw State University’s forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning, and I am excited about my new role as Bagwell College of Education dean,” Reed said. “I know that I will be joining a dynamic and innovative group of faculty and staff colleagues. I look forward to enhancing and expanding partnerships and becoming a member of the greater Kennesaw State community.”

Reed has conducted research and been published on topics including high school dropout prevention, leadership development, bullying prevention, instructional improvement, and challenges facing principals. Her community involvement includes serving as commissioner of the Alabama Select Commission on High School Completion and Dropout Prevention and as president of the University Council for Educational Administration.

Reed holds an Ed.D. in Administrative and Policy Studies with Specialization in Policy, Planning and Evaluation from the University of Pittsburgh; a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Elementary Education with Specialization in Gifted Education from State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego; and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Supervision from SUNY Cortland.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.