UC professor of chemical engineering named outstanding alumna by alma mater

Teri Reed, PhD, receieved an outstanding alumni award from the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy at her alma mater, University of Oklahoma.

Reed, assistant vice president for research at the University of Cincinnati and professor of chemical engineering, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.

Reed and three other recipients were recognized at Mewbourne College Student and Alumni Awards Dinner on April 11. The college’s board of visitors, along with many students and faculty, joined the celebration at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma.

An advocate for research-informed approaches to engineering education, curricular reform, equity, cultural humility and policy, as well as student recruitment and retention efforts, Reed has made significant contributions in higher education nationally, as well as at the University of Oklahoma, Purdue University and Texas A&M University, where she has spent her academic career.

“Teri left an amazing legacy at OU as an associate dean, and her continued professional success at Purdue, Texas A&M and now the University of Cincinnati has been amazing to witness,” wrote J. Mike Stice, dean of Mewbourne College.

“We are proud to count Teri among our alumni at Mewbourne College. Her track record of service has been exceptional,” he said.

The highest annual accolade for alumni and friends of Mewbourne College, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored the legacy of excellence of the college and university.

Reed helped establish the scholarly foundation for engineering education as an academic discipline through co-authorship of the landmark 2006 Journal of Engineering Education’s special reports, “The National Engineering Education Research Colloquies” and “The Research Agenda for the New Discipline of Engineering Education.” Her teaching interests include statistics, quality engineering, introductory engineering, diversity and leadership. Her research interests include statistics education, concept inventory development, assessment and evaluation of learning and programs, recruitment and retention, diversity, and equity.

Reed was an active student leader during her undergraduate studies at Oklahoma University. Some of her favorite memories there were made in student organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers and Pi Epsilon Tau, an honor society for petroleum engineers.

One of her brightest memories was an event she coordinated as an officer for Pi Epsilon Tau. The group printed T-shirts for members but discovered a typo once they were delivered to the “petrolem engineers” [sic]. Employing her problem-solving skills, Reed made the best out of what could have been an expensive mistake.  She rallied her team and threw a “the only thing missing is U” party.

After Reed received her B.S. from Oklahoma University, she spent seven years in the petroleum industry, during which time she earned her MBA. She received her Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Arizona State University.

Prior to UC, she was assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs for engineering for the Texas A&M University System. She also served as the assistant agency director for workforce development for Texas A&M’s Engineering Experiment Station and was an associate professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering.

She is a member, board member, executive board member and fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education, member and former president of the Women in Engineering ProActive Network, Distinguished Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and member of the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers. She serves as an ABET Engineering Accreditation Council Commissioner for ASEE. Reed has received numerous honors including the 2015 William Elgin Wickenden Award for research publications in the Journal of Engineering Education, the 2015 Texas A&M University Women’s Progress Award for Administrators, and 2012 Purdue University’s One Brick Higher Award, one of Purdue’s highest honors from the university president. 

This award is just one accomplishment in a long line of honors that Reed has earned. Her innovative spirit and dedication to engineering education excellence is just one way Reed proves that Next Lives Here at UC.