IPO’s Edmunds Reed to leave Augustana

After more than seven years as a dedicated advocate and guide for Augustana’s international students, Heather Edmunds Reed, co-director of the International Programs Office (IPO), is leaving the university.

Edmunds Reed joined Augustana in 2018 as a part-time office coordinator for the IPO, seeking more time with her children than her previous job gave her. Her responsibilities expanded significantly over her seven years, eventually leading her to become co-director alongside Erin Kane two years ago.

“I’ve kind of done most of the jobs in the IPO,” Edmunds Reed said. “It started out very much as a part-time opportunity that worked for me and my focus to spend more time with my young children, and now I’m co-leading the whole operation.”

Joseph Edmonson, assistant director of international programs, highlighted Edmund Reed’s dedication to the students she served.

“The thing that really distinguishes Heather is that she comes with a lot of energy,” Edmonson said. “She genuinely enjoys making those connections with the students.”

Kane, co-director of international programs and senior study away advisor, who has known Edmunds Reed since she started, said relationships are central to Edmunds Reed’s approach.

“Relationships are very important to Heather, and she strives to create a space where everyone feels welcome,

Kane added that Edmunds Reed approaches her work with students “like a mom,” often opening her home to them over holidays and providing other support that extends beyond her professional role.

Senior data science, quantitative economics and finance major Azam Shaik echoed this sentiment, saying he views Edmunds Reed as his “American mom.”

Shaik remembered arriving in Sioux Falls his freshman year, feeling stressed after learning the airline lost his suitcase. Heather greeted him with a hug and drove him back to the airport, determined to retrieve his luggage. While he waited for his bag — which he did eventually get back — Heather and the IPO supplied him with basics like towels and a sleeping bag.

“That was one of the moments where I was like, these guys actually care, and will put up a fight for us,” Shaik said. “And it’s not just me — I think she’s built that connection with a lot of international students.”

Edmunds Reed explained her decision to leave comes from a desire to return to her background in education and work more directly with students again. 

“The longer I’ve been doing the more director-level work, the less I have to do with students,” Edmunds Reed said. “It’s kind of left a hole in my heart.”

As Edmunds Reed took on more administrative tasks, she began to reflect on the direction her career had taken and her desire for more direct student engagement.

“Genuinely, some people will call it a midlife crisis — I would just call it like a midlife exploration,” Edmunds Reed said. “It’s really incredible and a blessing to be old enough to be reflective and go, ‘I have another 20 years of career left for myself, at least, so what do I want to be doing?’”

This reflection ultimately led to her accepting a position teaching at Washington High School, her own alma mater, a moment she described as “full circle.” At Washington, she hopes to use the skills she gained at Augustana in the classroom. 

“I love that I can use the intercultural understanding and awareness that I’ve gained through working with international students and have that be of benefit to Washington students,” Edmunds Reed said.

Reflecting on her seven years at Augustana, Edmunds Reed shared what made her time in the IPO meaningful.

“There’s so many lovely dedicated people on this campus, but mostly, I’m gonna miss the students,” Edmunds Reed said.

Edmunds Reed’s departure coincides with a political climate marked by uncertainties for international students in the U.S. This environment, she said, weighed heavily on her decision to leave.

“What’s happening right now has honestly made it harder for me to leave,” Edmunds Reed said. “I still 100% stand by international students and their value in our community, and we need to support them.

Edmund Reed’s coworkers believe her departure leaves a significant gap in the IPO.

“It’s gonna be a big black hole that we’re gonna have to fill,” Edmondson said. 

Kane echoed the sentiment, calling Edmunds Reed’s role a “hard position to replace,” emphasizing that the connections within the IPO extended beyond a typical work relationship.

“I think we’re like a big family over here, and when a member of your family decides to do something new, you’re of course happy for them, but you’re also sad because you don’t get to be around them as much as you used to,” Kane said. “I have no doubt that Heather will stay in the family. It’ll just look different.”