PRESIDENT
SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
For complete information, See the Profile here:
https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/Southeast-KY-President_2025-FINAL.pdf
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC), in Cumberland, Kentucky, seeks an exceptional leader and experienced candidate for President of the College. SKCTC is a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
ABOUT KCTCS
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the largest provider of public higher education in Kentucky. Established in 1998, KCTCS has 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses across the Commonwealth and is committed to providing affordable, accessible education and workforce training to students and citizens of the state from all backgrounds. With over 20 years of experience and more than 1 million students to date, KCTCS is the number one provider of workforce training in Kentucky and the state’s primary source for college and workforce readiness, transfer education, and workforce education.
Dr. Ryan Quarles is the fourth president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and the first native Kentuckian to lead the system. He was named president by the KCTCS Board of Regents September 29, 2023, following a national search. Quarles began his position January 1, 2024.
Quarles comes to KCTCS with a long history in statewide public service. He served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and as Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner. He holds seven college degrees including a doctorate in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University; a master’s degree in higher education from Harvard University; and a juris doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Quarles attended Lexington Community College, the forerunner of Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is a ninth-generation Kentucky farmer at Quarles Farms in Scott County.
ABOUT SKCTC
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College’s (SKCTC) original campus opened in 1960. Today, it is home to associate degree programs in arts, science, and applied science. It also houses the Godbey Appalachian Center Theatre and Archives, a telecommunications center, and other student facilities. Each fall, the Cumberland Campus also hosts the Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, a festival celebrating its unique heritage. SKCTC offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. SKCTC offers its programs throughout six campuses: Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville, Knox, and Whitesburg.
SKCTC, however, is much more than buildings and programs: it’s a community where students find confidence, collaboration, compassion, and success. After graduation, students are well-prepared to go into the workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university. Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and offers over 50 programs at its six campuses encompassing much of southeastern Kentucky. With an enrollment of 5,000, SKCTC is a smart, flexible, student-centered, and affordable choice for college.
SKCTC Mission
The enduring purpose of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is to enhance its students’ lives and the lives of the people of our region through the transformative impact of education, service, career, and workforce training. Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is a public, comprehensive community and technical college serving southeast Kentucky and is under the governance of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
SCKTC Values
- Strive to be a proactive and responsive partner with its communities.
- Continuously examine its environment to understand and anticipate local, regional, and state needs and to respond with appropriate programs and services.
- Strive for excellence in teaching and learning, providing all students with an outstanding, student-centered education to nurture a capacity and excitement for lifelong learning.
- Work to establish strong partnerships with public schools, industry, and transfer institutions to ensure that all students come prepared to succeed and depart with strong options for future growth and development.
- Overcome barriers of distance, fear, poverty, and other constraints to education through creative use of resources.
SCKTC Goals
- Raise the level of educational attainment in the Commonwealth by positioning KCTCS as the accessible, affordable, and relevant post-secondary education choice for Kentuckians.
- Increase access and success for all KCTCS students, particularly among traditionally underserved populations.
- Develop clear pathways through all levels of postsecondary education with an emphasis on experiential learning that leads to successful employment outcomes for SKCTC graduates.
- Improve student engagement, support, experiences, and success with best-in-class.
- Align programs and curricula with the needs of employers that enhance the employability, job placement, and career development of KCTCS graduates
- (Local Goal) Effectively Manage Cohort Default Rate
THE OPPORTUNITY/DUTIES
The president of the college, under the general direction of the KCTCS President, is charged with the general responsibility of the overall administration of the college. It is the president’s function to see that the policies and procedures of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and the Rules of the Senate are enforced.
Along with the college faculty, the president is responsible for the development and implementation of an instructional program commensurate with the purposes of a comprehensive community and technical college including but not limited to the curricula of the college, for the quality of instruction, and the assignment of duties to all persons.
- The president of the college shall review and finalize the performance evaluations recommended by the chief academic officer or other administrative personnel of the college.
- The president shall be responsible for all personnel actions including but not limited to: salary changes, search and appointments, reappointments, terminal appointments, decisions not to reappoint, post-retirement appointments, and promotions.
- Regarding students, the president is charged with administering the requirements and procedures of the college concerning the admission, probation, and dismissal of students.
- The president shall be responsible for the business and financial operation of the college and for the maintenance and operation of the physical plant of the college.
- It is the president’s responsibility to promote the college and its programs and students to the community through relationships with the Board of Directors, appropriate use of public information media, and by appropriate relationships with community groups and leaders, elected officials, and business and industry and K-12 partners. The president shall always endeavor to further constructive relations between the college and community.
- The president has ultimate control of the institution’s fund-raising activities.
Minimum Qualifications and Credentials
- An earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Experience in higher education to include a sufficient number of years that would provide time to learn and improve upon the leadership skills necessary to lead a college providing general education, technical training, and workforce education to their community
- Proven experience providing quality educational experiences for students at varying levels of college readiness
CUMBERLAND, KENTUCKY
Located in Harlan County, Kentucky, Cumberland is known for its abundance of natural beauty in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. While outdoor adventure and exploration top the list and Cumberland has numerous hiking trails, it also has museums, art galleries, music venues, restaurants, shops, and more.
Settled in 1837 on the Cumberland River, it is home to Kingdom Come State Park, featuring a lake, camp sites, miniature golf, paddleboarding, hiking trails, rock formations, and overlooks that provide scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains. Cumberland is also home to the Little Shepherd Trail and Sleepy Hollow Golf Course.
Cumberland has a public PK-8 school and Harlan County has a public high school. Several private schools are in the area, too.
Harlan County is home to Harlan ARH Hospital and Harlan County Medical Clinic and many physicians.
Application & Nomination Process
Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.
Applications
1) All application packets must include the following:
a) A letter of application that includes the candidate’s (1) interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) leadership philosophy, and (3) vision for the academic areas housed in Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.
b) Current curriculum vitae
c) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees and certificates earned. (Official transcripts will be required of finalists).
d) At least four references with full contact information including e-mail (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)
2) Submit application materials (preferably as PDFs) online. Additional information is requested with the submission of materials. For best consideration, complete applications should be received before March 31, 2025.
Nominations
Submit nominations with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.
Consultant
Kentucky Community Technical College System has retained Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting to assist the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Search Committee for the President in its identification and review of candidates. Dr. Brianna Douglas, Vice President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is the lead consultant for this search. Request a conversation regarding this search at BriannaDouglas@myersmcrae.com.
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of; race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, gender presentation, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, or genetic information. Further, we vigilantly prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit-based factor.