A single class can change everything.
For Dr. Donna Reese, it sparked a lifelong connection to computing, introduced her to her husband and set her on the path that would lead to her selection as ABET’s 2026-2027 President-Elect. “I still remember the professor,” Reese said. “I still have the book from that class; it had such an impact on my career.”
She is a former president of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB), the professional society for all computing accreditations. In addition to her time on ABET’s Computing Area Delegation, Reese also serves as a lead facilitator for ABET’s Program Evaluator Training. She began her ABET service in 2005 as a program evaluator (PEV) and was elected to the Computing Accreditation Commission in 2009.
After her time on the ExCom of Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) from 2014-2017, she was also the chair of the Computing Accreditation Commission in 2017-2018. Reese was named an ABET Fellow in 2020, an ASEE Fellow in 2016 and a CSAB Fellow in 2023.
A longtime ABET expert volunteer, commission leader and advocate for continuous improvement, Reese’s career reflects a commitment to student success, quality assurance and collaboration across disciplines.
A Spark That Started It All
Reese was surrounded by science from an early age, growing up in a family rooted in medicine. With a mother who worked as a medical lab technician along with a father and three brothers, who became medical doctors, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field was a natural fit, just not necessarily in medicine. “I tell people I got a Ph.D. out of self-defense with all those doctors in the family,” she said with a laugh.
While she chose a different direction than her physician family members, her passion for problem-solving remained constant. Originally planning on studying chemical engineering, Reese’s direction shifted during an introductory course at Louisiana Tech. “I just kind of fell in love with computing and programming,” she said. “At the time, you didn’t really have access to computing until you went to college.”
Another unexpected outcome of the same class, meeting her future husband. Both went on to earn Ph.D.s and launch careers with roots in higher education. Reese’s experience set the foundation for a career that would span teaching, research and academic leadership. “I loved teaching students and feeling like you were making a difference in their lives,” she said. “And we just stayed with that.”
The Lasting Impact of Discovering ABET
Reese’s introduction to ABET came during her time as an undergraduate coordinator in computer science at Mississippi State University after a colleague encouraged her to become a PEV. This gave her firsthand insight into the accreditation process. “If you want to understand how to prepare for accreditation and prepare for a site visit, there’s nothing like seeing it from the other side,” Reese said.
Her work at ABET opened her up to institutions across the country and around the world, offering new ideas and lessons. “You learn how other people do things,” she explained. “You see some good ideas you want to adopt and you see some things that make you think, ‘I don’t need to do that.’” Over time, her roles expanded, allowing her to contribute at multiple levels while building connections. Each role expanded her understanding of how quality assurance can always improve and evolve. “It’s always been a way to learn and to bring that learning back,” she said.
Guiding ABET Through a Changing Landscape
Reese has seen ABET move to more consistency across the commissions and development of criteria for disciplines that span multiple commissions. “The move away from ‘bean counting’ to outcomes-based assessment was a big shift,” she noted. She has also seen ABET’s scope expand globally across 42 countries and nearly 4,900 programs. “There’s been a lot of growth in new and evolving disciplines,” she said. “And a broader international presence.”
Priorities for the Future
As president-elect, Reese is focused on several key areas that will help shape the future of ABET.
Expanding Quality Assurance in Credentialing
Reese has been actively involved in extending ABET’s continuous quality assurance framework into the credentialing space, including ABET’s Recognition of Credentials service. “These alternative learning credentials are a lot more accessible for some students,” she noted. “They also help diversify what ABET has in its portfolio.”
Responding to Emerging Technologies
With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and data science, Reese sees an opportunity for ABET to help guide how programs evolve. “How does AI impact what institutions teach and how we evaluate programs?” Reese said. “Those are important questions to ask moving forward.”
Supporting Interdisciplinary Innovation
Reese emphasizes the importance of maintaining both flexibility and rigor as disciplines continue to intersect. “We need to stay adaptable while still preserving what defines each discipline,” she said.
Engagement Beyond the Profession
In addition to her work with ABET, Reese remains deeply engaged in her community. She volunteers regularly at a local science museum, helping introduce K-12 students to topics ranging from robotics to biology. “It’s fun to see kids get excited about learning,” she said. She is also active in her local Kiwanis club, enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband and treasures time with her four grandchildren, all of whom live nearby. “They’re 11 down to 18 months,” she says. “It’s just fun to watch them grow.”
A Story Still Being Written
Reese values ABET’s leadership structure, emphasizing continuity and shared decision-making. As she steps into her role as ABET President-Elect, Reese brings with her decades of experience and a willingness to keep learning, listening and evolving. “I need to have all the data to make good decisions,” she said. “And that means listening to people who don’t always agree with you.”
