Jason Reeder, a BYU-Idaho professor, became the Communication Department Chair in December 2023.
Prior to this promotion, Reeder taught various classes in the department, including classes in the digital and social media emphasis such as Digital Media Analytics/Strategy and core classes such as Mass Media and Society.
When Marc Skinner, the previous department chair, announced he would finish his career at the University of Idaho prior to his retirement, the position became available.
Reeder, among other candidates, was recommended for the position and completed a series of interviews with various leaders of the university before he was offered the job. Despite being new to teaching, he accepted the position.
"I just said, 'look, I'll do the best that I can,'" Reeder said. "I'm pretty new teaching in the department. I've only been in here for four years... I'll try to do my best and do what I can to kind of keep the department moving forward."
As chair, Reeder oversees the department's financial resources, department faculty, and academic programming and provides support to students as needed.
Working with students is one of Reeder's favorite parts of working at BYU-I.
"I love that they want to be here; they're eager to learn," said Reeder. "They want to be good and do good and take in as much as they can to help them in their families, their careers, everything... It's a rewarding job."
While learning the ropes of his new position, Reeder found a student who had almost completed their degree in communication but dropped out without completing an internship. He found the student on social media and reached out, offering to help with resources to fulfill the last requirements needed to earn his degree. This student is currently working on re-enrolling at BYU-I and potentially graduating this year.
"That's been kind of a fun thing because, you know, it's one (student) but... that's how Christ worked, one-on-one," Reeder said.