They work at the crossroads of reality and utopia.What they “do” is almost beside the point. They might be entrepreneurs, designers, or city planners. They might work for governments, social agencies, or themselves.

While number-crunching and analysis consume much of their jobs, they agree that lasting changes occur through their day-to-day interactions with real people. They help communities discover what they are and what they aspire to be. They broker compromises between rival groups. They honor history while working to build the future.

So how does Reed fit in? The college teaches students to understand complexity in biology, to respect the past in history, and to appreciate beauty in art. They experience how a dynamic, diverse community works firsthand by living in one during college.

Reed College may not offer degrees in urban planning or social work, but all the alumni interviewed for this story could connect their career interests and inspirations to Reed.

These are the stories of five Reedies redefining and reshaping communities.