Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D. is Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education. She is the only female in the country currently serving as a state higher education lead who has led higher ed in more than one state.
Working with the Louisiana Board of Regents, Reed is leading the state’s efforts to increase educational attainment by developing its talent base resulting in a more prosperous Louisiana that seeds innovation, grows opportunity and secures a bright economic future. To reach the state’s goal of doubling the number of credentials by 2030, Reed focuses on collaborative efforts that increase access, equity and completion to meet Regents’ talent imperative
Reed has extensive higher education and government experience. As Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Education Reed oversaw the implementation of nearly $109 million in additional support for Colorado Higher Education, bringing funding levels in the state to a historic high. She also served in President Barack Obama’s administration as deputy undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Education and led the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
A Lake Charles native, Reed chaired Louisiana’s higher education transition team in 2015 and served as the State’s policy director. Reed also served as chief of staff and deputy commissioner for public affairs for the Louisiana Board of Regents and executive vice president of the University of Louisiana System.
Reed received a doctorate in public policy from Southern University, a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University.
Reed is a wife, proud mom to her favorite Millsaps University student and Louisiana’s chief advocate for talent development.
