2021 Women's Symposium Keynote Speaker
听
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed - Commissioner of Higher Education听
听
Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D.,听is Louisiana鈥檚 Commissioner of Higher Education. She is the
only female in the country currently serving as a state higher education lead who
has led higher education in more than one state. Reed was recently recognized nationally
with the 2020 Exceptional Leader Award by the State Higher Education Executive Officers
Association (SHEEO).
Working with the Louisiana Board of Regents, Reed is leading the state鈥檚 efforts to
increase educational attainment by developing its talent base to result in a more
prosperous Louisiana.听 To reach the state鈥檚 goal of doubling the number of credentials
awarded by 2030, she focuses on collaborative efforts that increase access, equity
and completion in line with the Regents鈥� talent imperative.
Reed is a nationally recognized student advocate with extensive higher education and
government experience.听 In addition to leading the Colorado Department of Higher Education,
she served in President Barack Obama鈥檚 administration as deputy undersecretary at
the U.S. Department of Education and led the White House Initiative on Historically
Black Colleges and Universities. Collectively, Reed has served in various senior leadership
roles with four governors.听
A Lake Charles native, Reed chaired Louisiana鈥檚 higher education transition team in
2015 and served as the state鈥檚 policy director. She also served as chief of staff
and deputy commissioner for public affairs for the Louisiana Board of Regents, adjunct
faculty member and executive vice president of the University of Louisiana System.
Reed received a doctorate in public policy from Southern University, as well as a
master鈥檚 degree in public administration and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in broadcast journalism
from Louisiana State University.
Reed is a wife, proud volleyball mom to her favorite Millsaps College student and
Louisiana鈥檚 chief advocate for talent development.
