SWOCC release - COOS BAY, Ore. – Southwestern is proud to honor Rashinda Reed, head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Alabama, as 2026 Distinguished Alumna. Reed has built a reputation for inspiring excellence and fostering a culture of growth, accountability, and achievement among her athletes. Known for her ability to connect with players and challenge them to reach their full potential, Reed’s leadership reflects both her competitive drive and her deep commitment to student-athlete success.  Reed’s journey began at Southwestern, where she played for the Lakers in 2000–01. Quickly emerging as a standout, she earned NWAACC all-star honors and helped lead her team to postseason competition. Early in the season at a California tournament, voters deemed her Most Valuable Player. After netting win after win, community sportswriters started calling Reed the Lakers’ best offensive player. “One is dominant because of her sheer power.” That was the lead sentence on a season finale story in October 2021 praising power-hitter Reed.  She went on to compete at the University of Georgia, earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005, and later played professionally in Europe. Reed transitioned into coaching soon after, holding positions at the University of Southern Indiana and Binghamton University, where she contributed to conference championship success. She later served as head coach at Northern Michigan University before joining the University of Illinois staff, where the program made multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs, including appearances in the Sweet 16 and national semifinals.  In 2021, Reed was named head volleyball coach at the University of Alabama, becoming the first Black woman to lead the program. Her impact has been immediate. She brings energy, vision, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Reed is also a dedicated parent and role model, demonstrating balance, perseverance, and purpose.  “I’m incredibly honored to be recognized as an alumna of Southwestern Oregon Community College. Coming from a small town, I always imagined myself going somewhere bigger, but SWOCC ended up becoming one of the most meaningful and impactful places in my life. The relationships, mentorship, lessons, and experiences I gained there continue to shape me every day as a coach, leader, and person. Looking back, I realize how special those two years truly were. SWOCC is a hidden gem, and I feel so fortunate that SWOCC volleyball found me. I honestly owe so much of who I am today to that place and the people who believed in me along the way,” said Reed.  A 2019 inductee into Southwestern’s Athletic Hall of Fame and a 2026 inductee into the Northwest Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, Reed continues to inspire the next generation of student-athletes. Her journey from Southwestern to national prominence is a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, leadership, and belief in yourself.  “Rashinda is a truly deserving recipient of the College’s Distinguished Alum honor,” said President Patty Scott. “She was a powerful force for success at our college two decades ago. And today, her career success is a clear example of how community colleges prepare people not just to begin down a path to a job, but to lead and excel throughout life.”  Reed will be a featured speaker at Southwestern’s commencement ceremony at noon on June 12. This year’s graduating class includes 358 graduates from 19 states and 9 countries.