JR Reed joins College of Media Office of Advancement
JR Reed considers himself a lifelong learner who enjoys meeting new people and exploring new places—just a few of the many qualities that will serve him well in his new role as assistant director of advancement at the College of Media.
Reed, who officially began in January, is bringing a wealth of experience and a variety of interests, as well as a lot of drive and ambition, to the fundraising position.
For Deanne Johnson, assistant dean for advancement at the College of Media, those were some of the key reasons she felt Reed would be a great addition to the team.
“His compassion for others and positive outlook on life were obvious from our first meeting,” Johnson said. “He brings a diverse set of skills to the position, and we are fortunate to have him on our Advancement team and in the College of Media.”
Reed said the major gift officer role initially appealed to him because he felt it offered the ability to connect with alumni and donors, hear their stories, and help them find ways to support the college. He knew the job would be a perfect match after meeting with members of the College of Media.
“Not only did the job description match [my skills and interests] but I really connected with the team here. Everyone I’ve met has been friendly and welcoming, so it just felt right.” he said.
He recognizes the importance of media and the role it plays in various aspects of today’s world—media is “very cutting-edge, always adapting, and impactful to people’s lives.”
A native of Tolono, Illinois, Reed grew up an Illini fan, frequently attending Illinois football and basketball games.
“The University was always a big part of my life growing up. I was born and bred orange and blue,” he said. “It makes sense my professional trajectory would bring me back to the area, working for the University.”
The career path leading Reed to Illinois has been a winding one which includes culinary school, a bachelor’s in business administration from Robert Morris University in Chicago, an infantry squad leader in the U.S. Army, a barber’s license, and an MBA from California Coast University. Most recently, he worked as a membership and marketing supervisor at Costco Wholesale in Champaign. Reed believes his vast experiences have prepared him for the role he’s in today.
Reed says the most valuable lesson he’s learned working at Costco and serving in the U.S. Army was the importance of taking care of people and finding solutions—whether it was soldiers, customers, or the 50-plus employees he managed. He feels it will transfer well to his advancement position.
Reed has also worked at two famous downtown Chicago attractions including the Skydeck at Willis Tower and the Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours. These experiences, coupled with organizing off-site networking events for Costco, has helped to foster his event-planning skills, which he will use in his new position as he supports Chicago-based, alumni-coordinated events.
He anticipates his first year to be full of learning experiences, and he’s looking forward to integrating into the advancement team and engaging with alumni and donors.
“Maybe it’s a scholarship or a deferred gift—everybody is going to have a different story and something different they want to support. That’s where I come in, as a liaison, to assure their needs are met to support the University of Illinois and the College of Media,” Reed said.
“Perhaps the most fulfilling part of the job, and a component I will enjoy the most, is the positive impact on the lives and futures of students, faculty, and staff,” he added. “Each generous gift to the College of Media has the potential to positively transform the academic career of our students. Only rarely do we have the ability and opportunity to make such impacts, and I’m privileged to say I now have the potential to do so.”
—Kelly Youngblood
(Photo by Isabella Pennebaker, photography intern.)