McQuarters brings extensive knowledge and expertise to MHCC’s leadership team and will focus on improving the lives of students and residents of the college’s service area. As VPI, he will be an innovative, inclusive, and collaborative leader who will promote the success of the college and its students, faculty, and staff while fostering close ties with the community. He will have a unique opportunity to respond to the needs of MHCC’s diverse economy, changing community demographics and a dynamic student body that is more diverse and non-traditional than ever before.

“I am an instructional leader who champions the values of opportunity, equity and social justice,” McQuarters said.

McQuarters holds a doctorate in adult higher education and community college leadership from Oregon State University. His dissertation focused on racial battle fatigue among Latinx and Black community college students in STEM fields. He also holds a master’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from Howard University and a bachelor’s degree in life science and molecular biology from Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining MHCC, McQuarters was most recently dean of math, science, health, physical education and career technical education at Portland Community College’s southeast campus, where he also spent time as interim dean of instruction. Prior to that, McQuarters held leadership positions at City Colleges of Chicago, the Institute for Transfusion Medicine Clinical Services and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

An instructor at heart, McQuarters also has experience teaching at Triton College, Malcolm X College, Truman College, Harold Washington College and Lansing Community College.

“I am honored to become part of the MHCC family, and for the opportunity to serve East Portland and East Multnomah County,” McQuarters said. “I am also looking forward to serving on the statewide community college Chief Academic Officers (CAO) group, which has been without MHCC representation for some time.”

In addition to his experience as a leader in the higher education community, McQuarters comes highly recommended by his former students. Milton Aguilar, who took a class taught by McQuarters at Malcolm X College, and voiced his support of his former professor.

“Professor McQuarters was exceptional in opening the pathway for me to achieve a healthcare education,” Aguilar wrote in a letter of recommendation. “I will forever be grateful for his support and dedication, his determination on that underrepresented minority students, like myself, not only are able to access higher education, but excel as students, leaders and workers.”

About Us:
Mt. Hood Community College serves approximately 25,000 students annually through more than 130 professional and technical programs, university transfer possibilities, as well as a variety of community education offerings and high school services. For more information, visit mhcc.edu.