After placing second in the GOP gubernatorial primary, Quarles has been fairly quiet about his plans, making an appearance at Fancy Farm but otherwise staying out of the fray in the governor’s contest.
Now, Quarles – who has an extensive resume when it comes to education – will be taking over as the fourth president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, commonly abbreviated KCTCS.
The system’s Board of Regents Chair, Barry Martin, said Quarles’ statewide leadership, work in Washington, D.C., and educational background made him “the clear choice” in the race, which had been narrowed to three finalists.
Quarles holds seven college degrees, including a doctorate in higher education administration from Vanderbilt and a master’s in the same subject from Harvard. He said he’s “humbled and excited” to further his public service through what he called the state’s “most impactful higher education entity.”
