On Friday, October 7, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN, Karen J. Reed was 1 of 7 graduates selected as Distinguished Alumni for Augsburg University. This occurred at the Augsburg’s Great Returns: We’re All In – All School Reunion that was held in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion.  More than 500 graduates returned from many different decades. More than 450 were present at this event. Also, Karen had the opportunity to lecture at one of the Music Therapy classes while visiting.

Her nominator said this about Karen Reed:
The following alumnae, I believe, is worthy of inclusion in the Augsburg University 2022 Augsburg All-School Alumni Award showcase as she has been an exemplary citizen in her community and has shown extraordinary fortitude in her professional career. It with distinct honor to nominate Karen Jean Reed for the Augsburg University 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. The depth and breadth of Karen’s service as clinician and manager is extraordinary. Her outstanding leadership and clinical contributions in the field of Music Therapy have distinguished her among her organization and peers. In the field of Music Therapy, Ms. Reed has been a travel-blazer promoting the use of Gospel Music in the treatment of mentally-ill patients. Ms. Reed has shared her skills and experience from 1998 to the present, as presenter of more than 40 sessions for the following conferences: American Music Therapy Association, Western Region American Music Therapy Association, Mid-west American Music Therapy Association, UBSUC – United Black Student Unions of California State Convention, and Department of Women Southern California First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church Of God In Christ. 2021 University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts Alumni of Notable Achievement Award On August 5, 2020, Reed received recognition as an extraordinary leader as manager and selected “Supervisor of the Month” at Department of State Hospitals-Coalinga. She was honored with the “2019 Innovator of the Year” Team Award at the Department of State Hospitals VIP Award Ceremony held on April 17, 2019, in Sacramento, California. Received 25 Years of State Service recognition. Department of State Hospitals – Coalinga, November 2, 2016. On November 16, 2016, Ms. Reed received recognition as an extraordinary leader as manager and selected Supervisor of the Month at Department of State Hospitals-Coalinga. November 30, 2015, 2015 Program Director of the Year, by Civil Detainee’s Advisory Council [COAC], for ‘recognition and active involvement in the collaborative process in presenting treatment issues and advocating for the change within resident community in DSH-Coalinga.’ In June 2018, Reed was appointed Program Director of the Mentally Disordered Offender Program and has made significant achievements. In 2019, she received the highest honor and was the recipient of The Betty Isern Howery Award presented by the Western Region Music Therapy Association. Ms. Reed received numerous recognitions for her direction to the church and the community by utilizing her skills gained in her profession.