Northwest DeSoto Center dean earns doctorate

Related Media

SENATOBIA, MS (02/14/2018) Northwest Mississippi Community College DeSoto Center Associate Dean Keith Reed recently completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Reed has served as associate dean since July 2014.

Reed, who graduated with associate degrees from both the Funeral Service Technology and Business Administration programs at DeSoto Center, came to Northwest as an adjunct instructor in 2005. Reed was a full-time instructor in the business division from 2006-2013. He became DeSoto Center's Career-Technical director in 2013.

Reed's dissertation was entitled "Comparative Study in Student Achievement on Remedial Math Courses through Online and Traditional Delivery Modes at Northwest Mississippi Community College." Reed stated that since he had been at Northwest, he had often wondered how students would fare with online remedial classes versus those in the traditional classroom. He used a sample of 24 students and found that there was not any significant difference between the two.

"I am elated over Dr. Reeds's recent achievement. It is a wonderful accomplishment for him and the DeSoto Center. He is a great advocate for our students. Dr. Reed is a valuable part of our leadership team," said Jeremy Isome, DeSoto Center dean.

He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Belhaven University and earned a Specialist in Community College Teaching designation from Arkansas State University in 2012. He was honored in 2009 with the "Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence" (HEADWAE) instructor award, and was the Outstanding Student in Funeral Service Technology when he was a student at Northwest. He was also on the National Dean's List and was an All-American Scholar. Before coming to Northwest, Reed worked extensively in the funeral service profession and still works part time with M.J. Edwards Funeral Home in Memphis.

In Reed's role at Northwest, he supports both career-technical and academic programs. He teaches at least one class a semester, sometimes in the business division and sometimes in the Funeral Service Technology program. "I usually help out where they need me. I feel it keeps me grounded with the students," Reed said. He said his goals at DeSoto Center are to stay current in the curriculum and with the needs of the students. "We try to stay abreast of the student population's needs as well as those of industry, and make sure we are current in all that," Reed said.

For more information about the DeSoto Center, visit the college's website at northwestms.edu or call DeSoto Center at 662.342.1570.