Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

When Jalen Reed, a senior mechanical engineering major, speaks at high schools as a regional UD ambassador in his home city of Chicago, he’s honest that UD wasn’t his first choice. Now, thanks to the community he found, it’s his home away from home.

As a senior in high school, Reed and his family decided to visit UD while they were driving through Ohio. Because of the pandemic, tours weren’t available, so they reached out to the Multi-Ethnic Engineers Program director at the time, Gerica Brown, who found time to give the family an impromptu tour when they arrived.

“Gerica mentioned engineering opportunities, like research, co-ops and internships, and Ethos,” Reed said. “Ethos jumped out at me, because that’s what I was raised on — service and volunteering, and using your talents to benefit others. Seeing a school that aligned with my values and goals, I thought, this might be it. And sure enough, I ended up coming here.”

“Ethos jumped out at me, because that’s what I was raised on — service and volunteering, and using your talents to benefit others.” — Jalen Reed

Reed participated in the Multi-Ethnic Engineers Program when he started at UD. The program provides scholarship opportunities for students as well as professional and community-building experiences, including resume reviews, networking, guest speakers and connecting with senior student mentors.

The program has historically been funded through the School of Engineering Dean’s Fund for Excellence and the One Day, One Dayton donors who are committed to ensuring a welcoming door is open for all talented students.

The results speak for themselves. Reed started with one community in MEP, which quickly translated to finding community across campus. He’s president of the boxing club, fundraising chair and senator for UD’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and a neighborhood fellow. He also went on an Ethos immersion to Guatemala and completed an internship over the summer.

Brown, now the School of Engineering’s assistant dean for inclusive excellence strategic initiatives, watched as Reed soaked up the opportunities and took flight.

“I’m so proud to see everything Jalen’s done since he’s been here,” said Brown. “It’s such a demonstration of the value of creating intentional ways for students to get connected to various opportunities. I can’t imagine the type of engineer Jalen would be without his experiences. Those connections grow to bigger and better things.”

Reed also has been doing undergraduate student research with Andrew Schrader, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. The two connected at an MEP event and Schrader has been mentoring Reed since, helping build his engineering skills as well as professional skills by identifying and prioritizing opportunities.

Now Reed is finishing his last semester of undergrad, and preparing for the School of Engineering’s Bachelor’s Plus Master’s program, which will include more research with Schrader.

“It goes a long way knowing someone supports you even if they don’t personally know you,” Reed said of One Day, One Dayton donors who supported MEP.

“When I’m in the library, it’s 11 p.m., and I’m like, ‘Do I really want to get this assignment done?’ I think about all of the people trusting in me and believing in me, and it gives me what I need to keep going.”