"Governing boards that wish to strengthen their institutions - particularly those at challenged or otherwise "at risk" institutions - would benefit from an investigation of the methods and tools created by the R. H. Perry Foundation in its pursuit of exellence."

Elizabeth H. Sibolski, Ph.D.

President, Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Matthew J. Quinn: Advancing the Education of High-Achieving Students with Financial Need

Posted Thursday, June 30, 2011 - 12:20 AM

Following a career of more than 30 years in higher education, Dr. Matthew Quinn became the founding Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in 2000. In January 2009, he graciously agreed to join the R. H. Perry Foundation Board of Advisors, providing a grant maker's perspective to our work.

Under Dr. Quinn's direction, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has funded scholarships and grants to provide financial assistance to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. The Young Scholars Program seeks qualified high-achieving, low-income 7th grade students and cultivates their talents and abilities throughout high school. Young Scholars are eligible to apply for the Foundation's College and Graduate Scholarships.

The Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program selects up to 50 community-college transfer students each year and supports them as they complete bachelor's degrees at the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. They may also qualify for a Graduate Scholarship. The highly selective Graduate Scholarship Program enables awardees to pursue graduate or professional education for up to six years of study. A fairly recent program has been to assist exceptionally talented young artists and musicians to receive professional training that would otherwise be unattainable for them. In just eight short years, the foundation has provided over $130 million in scholarship and grant support.

Prior to joining the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Dr. Quinn served as President of Carroll College in Helena, Montana for 11 years. He also held administrative posts at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Iona College in New Rochelle, and the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

Dr. Quinn brings years of experience on governing board and advisory committees for such groups as the American Association of University Administrators, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the American Council on Education, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Council on Foundations, and Washington Grantmakers. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, has served as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank, Helena Branch, and currently is a member of the Board of Directors for the Council of Independent Colleges.