Davis & Elkins College will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with a discussion in the Myles Center for the Performing Arts on the D&E Campus. This event is open to the public and will take place on Monday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. to allow student participation for those who are just returning for the spring semester.
We are excited to have Dr. Robbie Quarles, Dean of Student Affairs at South University – Richmond & High Point as the keynote speaker and leading this discussion.
Dr. Robby Quarles is a dedicated higher education administrator with over a decade of experience in crafting transformative experiences for students. Over the past six years, he has delivered impactful presentations and led retreats at universities and organizations nationwide. Recently, Dr. Quarles served as the keynote speaker for the ‘Stronger Chapters, Stronger Councils’ multicultural student organization conference at the University of Pittsburgh & Carnegie Mellon and the Student Leadership Conference at Longwood University in Farmville, VA.
An alum and former staff member at WV Wesleyan College, Dr. Quarles excelled as the Director of Multicultural Programs and Services. During his five-year tenure, he implemented sustainable programming for multicultural students, resulting in increased engagement, enrollment, and retention. Notably, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Bridges to Belmont program at Belmont University, serving as the Student Support Specialist.
As a first-generation college student himself, Dr. Quarles is deeply committed to facilitating the college experience, not only for students but also for their families. Currently, he serves as the Dean of Student Affairs for South University, overseeing the Richmond and High Point Campuses.
The events at D&E in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday are sponsored by the President’s Initiative on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which was launched in 2020 with a pledge to listen, learn and act intentionally to uphold the D&E institutional values and mission of “thoughtful engagement in the world,” “act(ing) responsibly as citizens of multiple communities,” and valuing “human dignity and social responsibility.” Stressing an openness and mutual respect for all within the D&E community, the initiative included multiple sessions of professional development, student workshops and public programming.
