FULLERTON, Calif. — A Titan alumnus with veteran experience in sports leadership for the Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences, Shondell Reed, will return home to serve as Cal State Fullerton's new athletic director, President Ronald S. Rochon announced Friday. Reed will assume the role effective Aug. 31, 2026. 

Reed, who graduated from CSUF in 1995, succeeds outgoing Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Donovan, whose retirement begins this summer. Reed has overseen several men's and women's athletics teams, from football to soccer, for NCAA Division I and Division III athletics departments. 

"Shondell understands firsthand the transformative power of a Titan education and the important role of athletics for a campus community, fostering belonging, school spirit, leadership, and lifelong connections," Rochon said. "He has a track record of supporting student-athlete success, fostering competitive excellence, and advancing programs focused on holistic student development." 

Currently, Reed is the senior associate athletic director for the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he oversees a broad portfolio of sports programs, including men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, and lacrosse.  

His appointment to lead Titans Athletics marks a homecoming for Reed, who earned a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism from Cal State Fullerton in 1995. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law ('01) and a master's degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco ('03). 

At Titans Athletics, Reed will lead one of the most visible, storied programs in the California State University system with a focus on competitive achievement, academic success, student development and community engagement. 

His appointment ensures Titans Athletics will continue to build upon a legacy of national championships and academic success. Under Donovan's 14-year tenure, Titans Athletics secured 33 Big West Championships, including two baseball College World Series appearances and seven softball conference titles. Student-athletes' graduation rates also improved from 68% to 80%. 

"I'm extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead Titans Athletics," Reed said. "This is truly a full-circle moment for me, and I'm excited and honored to lead coaches and student-athletes of the Cal State Fullerton athletic department to new levels of success." 

Previously, Reed served as a senior associate athletic director at the University of Washington when it was part of the Pac-12 and held a leadership role at Colgate University in the Patriot League. He gained early experience at the University of California, Berkeley (then with the Pac-12), and at The Ohio State University in the Big Ten.  

Reed has been active in athletics governance and policy through committee and advisory roles with NCAA and other organizations. 

Rochon thanked members of the search committee, along with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community participants who contributed to the national search process through feedback sessions and open forums. 

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