When Dr. Will Reed officially joins the College of Professional and Continuing Studies faculty this June, he'll bring something increasingly rare in academic circles: a leadership philosophy forged in the crucible of real-world experience. From commanding over 170 Army personnel as a Captain to consulting with Fortune 500 companies, Reed's journey to Mississippi State represents more than a career change—it's a mission to fundamentally transform how future leaders think about people and organizations.
A Leader Shaped by Service and Strategy
Reed's path to academia began in uniform. As a U.S. Army Captain, he didn't just learn leadership theory; he lived it daily, making decisions that directly impacted the lives and careers of those under his command. That experience instilled in him a core belief that now drives his teaching: "People are the greatest assets in organizations, and I always lead with that in mind."
Assistant Professor
After transitioning from military service, Reed spent three years in new business development before launching his own consulting firm, then dedicating most of his career to management consulting. These diverse experiences—from the structured environment of the military to the fast-paced world of corporate strategy—now directly inform his leadership of CPCS's Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership program and his teaching in the Applied Leadership Graduate Certificate and Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership programs.
"I have found these experiences to be a powerful instructional aid in the classroom that helps me to connect theory with business practice," Reed explains. It's this connection between academic concepts and real-world application that sets his teaching apart and makes his courses immediately relevant to working professionals.
Beyond Traditional Applied Learning
Reed's approach to education reflects his belief that effective leadership starts with understanding people. Leading the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership program, he's perfectly positioned to serve CPCS's mission of career-focused, applied learning for working professionals. The program, designed especially for graduates of applied fields seeking career advancement, offers a modern pathway that builds on existing experience while preparing students for leadership roles.
In his graduate courses for the Applied Leadership Certificate and Master of Applied Science programs, Reed employs business simulations and Harvard Business Review case studies that challenge students to grapple with authentic organizational challenges. The Applied Leadership Graduate Certificate, developed in partnership with Echelon Front and based on the principles of "Extreme Ownership," aligns perfectly with Reed's military background and people-centered leadership philosophy.
"The simulations provide students with relevant business practice, meaning that students can take what they learn and apply it immediately within their current roles and impact change even before completing their academic programs," he notes. This isn't just about preparing students for future careers—it's about empowering them to be more effective leaders today.
His teaching philosophy centers on a critical insight many organizations miss: "It is difficult for people in organizations to give us their absolute best when we do not appear vested in them." This focus on psychological safety and leader-member relationships isn't just academic theory for Reed—it's the foundation of his current research and the key to addressing one of today's biggest organizational challenges: turnover and employee engagement.
Building Bridges Between Industry and Academia
Perhaps most impressive are the partnerships Reed is bringing to Mississippi State. He's currently collaborating with Amazon, Milwaukee Tool, Owens Corning, and Deloitte Corporation—relationships he's nurturing to create enhanced opportunities for CPCS students after graduation. These aren't just networking connections; they're strategic partnerships designed to bridge the gap between applied learning and career success, perfectly aligning with CPCS's mission to prepare working professionals for advancement.
"I plan to use these partnerships to enhance the quality and frequency of students' opportunities after graduation for CPCS students," Reed emphasizes. In an era where students increasingly expect their education to directly translate into career advancement, these industry connections represent a significant competitive advantage for CPCS's applied learning programs.
Research That Matters
Reed's research focus on psychological safety in workplace environments isn't just academically interesting—it addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing organizations today. As companies struggle with remote work dynamics, generational differences, and post-pandemic workforce expectations, understanding how to create environments where employees feel valued and empowered has never been more critical.
His doctoral dissertation on persistent reading deficiencies in early education demonstrates his commitment to addressing systemic challenges, while his current organizational leadership research directly impacts how future leaders will manage increasingly complex workplace dynamics.
Stories That Stick
The real measure of Reed's impact comes from his students. Over the past three years, he's consistently heard from former students who credit his teachings with transforming their careers. They tell him his leadership principles "stick with them" regardless of time passed, influencing everything from job interviews to promotions to how they lead their own teams.
"The skills they gained in the classroom through my courses impacted how they interviewed for jobs, received promotions, and even changed the way they lead their people," Reed reflects. For an educator, there's no higher praise than knowing your teaching creates lasting, positive change in students' professional lives.
A Vision for the Future
Reed sees his role at CPCS as part of a larger mission. "I want to change the world in which we live," he states with conviction. "I can do my part, as a leader, to provide a quality education that demonstrates to CPCS students how to live their best lives and reveal their very best through their collective work efforts."
His vision for the evolution of organizational leadership is both ambitious and necessary. He believes that when leaders create psychologically safe environments where people feel genuinely cared for and valued, "organizational leadership could evolve into a field that sets benchmarks by which other fields should be measured."
The Reed Difference
For CPCS students pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership, the Applied Leadership Graduate Certificate, or the Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Reed represents something powerful: a program leader who doesn't just teach leadership—he embodies it. His combination of military discipline, entrepreneurial insight, corporate consulting experience, and genuine care for student success creates a learning environment where theory meets practice in meaningful ways.
As he prepares to join Hail State, Reed brings more than expertise—he brings a commitment to developing leaders who understand that their greatest responsibility isn't managing processes or optimizing systems, but unleashing the potential of the people they serve.
In a world where leadership is often reduced to buzzwords and management techniques, Dr. Will Reed offers something more substantial: a proven approach to creating positive change through people-centered leadership. For CPCS students in applied learning programs, that's not just education—it's career transformation.
Dr. Will Reed leads the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership program and teaches in the Applied Leadership Graduate Certificate and Master of Applied Science programs. His courses include PCS 6323 Effective Organizational Discourse, PCS 6333 Principles of Effective Leadership, and PCS 6343 Foundations of Organizational Leadership. To learn more about Dr. Reed or CPCS applied learning programs, visit cpcs.msstate.edu or contact him at will.reed@msstate.edu.