Ben Reed serves as assistant professor of health and human performance at The University of Olivet. He has shaped his career around the ability to work with students, fostering their personal growth and development. His most prominent passion in life is basketball, and he strongly enjoys relating to students and players through that love.
Why do you love OC?
I love the environment at OC! This campus feels like its own community. I especially love the students and the small class sizes. I really have the opportunity to get to know students here at OC.
What is your favorite memory from your time at OC?
My favorite memory by far would be coming together each year to celebrate Opening Convocation. To see the whole campus in one area is amazing. I come from a large university, so that’s just something you don’t see or experience.
Where do your passions for teaching Health and Human Performance stem from?
Doing my undergrad and master’s in sport management provided me the interest in teaching Health and Human Performance, but it’s the student interaction inside and outside of the classroom that gives me the passion.
What is your teaching style like?
Being this is only my second year, I’m still trying to find my “it style” of teaching, but I will say there is a lot of student engagement. I try to use a lot of participatory and interactive methods.
Why do you encourage students to attend OC?
I encourage students to come to Olivet because not only will you get a great education, you will build lasting relationships. Not just with students, but with professors, too.
What do you look forward to in your role?
I am happy to play a role in building the OC sports recreation management program.
What advice do you share with students and alumni?
To students, I constantly share with them to enjoy their time at Olivet and be open to new things, friends and activities. For alumni, it would be to come back and stop in from time to time during classes of former professors to give advice or tell students your story.
What is an interesting or little-known fact about yourself?
I had the awesome opportunity to play college basketball and continued professionally in Europe. That experience helped me visit more than 15 countries. I also am proud to say I recently got married in June 2018.
Check out The University of Olivet and the Health and Human Performance Department by scheduling a campus visit and/or applying. Contact the Office of Admissions at 800.456.7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu with questions.