Aquinas College President Kevin Quinn said he will not seek another term after leading the school since 2017.
Quinn will be succeeded by Provost Stephen Germic as interim president as Aquinas evaluates firms to lead the search for its ninth president.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as president of Aquinas College,” Quinn said. “There were a number of factors that contributed to my decision, including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the main reason is that my wife, Terry, and I are ready for our next adventure. We have appreciated the warm welcome we have received from our campus and the greater West Michigan community. Part of Aquinas College will always be with us, no matter where we go.”
During Quinn’s tenure, the school’s Contributing to More comprehensive campaign raised more than $61 million for new science facilities, a chapel and more than $17 million in student scholarships and resources for campus infrastructure, technology and beautification.
Under his leadership, Aquinas was ranked one of the best national liberal arts colleges for the three consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. It moved up 71 spots on a year-over-year basis. The school also completed the reaccreditation process through the Higher Learning Commission. The student retention was 85.2% for first-year students in 2021, which is a 14.5% increase from the previous year.
Quinn helped to develop Aquinas’ 2030 strategic plan and a comprehensive campus master plan to transform the physical spaces on the campus to support curricular and co-curricular outcomes.
He also reorganized and expanded committees of the board of trustees to welcome student, faculty and staff representation.
“The board is incredibly grateful to President Quinn for his leadership and dedication to the success of Aquinas College over the past five years,” said Aquinas Board Chair Marcie Hillary. “Responding to the pandemic was a challenge for all of us. We so appreciate Kevin’s focus on student experience and success as the college successfully mitigated spread on campus so students could benefit from an in-class, personal learning environment. On behalf of the board of trustees, we wish Kevin all the best in his next chapter.”
Prior to joining Aquinas, Quinn spent 23 years at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. He was the founding dean of the Schneider School of Business and Economics. He also was the associate academic dean, associate dean of the social sciences and coordinator for the economics discipline.
Quinn received his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Loyola University in Chicago. He earned his Master of Business Administration in marketing and economics and his doctorate in energy and environmental economics from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
