In 2008, Reed was awarded the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education for his work in paving the way for increased higher education access and success for U.S. students. Judges specifically noted his efforts to reach out to students from under-represented African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian populations. One indicator of success was an increase of 6.5 percent in the enrollment of African American students at the CSU from 2006 to 2007; an increase in Hispanic enrollment of 9.5 percent; and an increase of Native American enrollment of 8.2 percent.