Dr. Markel Quarles has been focused on student success in higher education for 23 years serving in administrative, teaching, and student services capacities. He has spoken across the nation on topics related to student success, career readiness, employer recruitment, interpersonal development, and cross-generational leadership. He has also been part of leadership efforts both nationally, statewide, and locally to impact college access, student success, career readiness, and community engagement. Dr. Quarles is an American Council on Education Fellow and an Executive Leadership Academy Fellow.
Dr. Quarles currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & Student Services at California State University, Bakersfield. In his role, he provides leadership and oversight over a number of student engagement departments and programs. He is also involved on internal and external taskforces and committees that support student success.

Dr. Quarles earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he was his program's first-ever Graduate Opportunity Fellow. He holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, where he also played football.