University President
Dr. Quentin Young
From Cumberlands graduate to president.
Rooted in faith and service, Dr. Young begins his presidency with a mission to transform lives and inspire futures.
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There are few places like Cumberlands, where mission fuels momentum, where tradition sparks innovation, and where the calling to serve students well remains our North Star."
Each year, students, faculty, and staff at University of the Cumberlands gather in the O. Wayne Rollins Center for Shoes 4 the Soul: a day grounded in servant leadership, compassion, and transformation.
Local elementary school children visit campus to receive new shoes, socks, and hygiene items, and to have their feet gently washed by Cumberlands students, modeling the humility and love of Christ. It’s a powerful reflection of the university’s mission to serve others well.
Inside the gym, the atmosphere is full of life—music playing, voices rising, students laughing. But at the heart of the experience is something more personal: the connection between each child and their Cumberlands “buddy.”
Each buddy is a current college student who volunteers to guide a child through the day. From the moment they’re paired, the buddy offers steady attention and intentional care, helping the child feel safe, celebrated, and seen. They sit side by side. They tie their laces. They ask questions, share smiles, and speak encouragement into a young life that may not always hear it.
For many Cumberlands students, serving as a buddy is a full-circle moment. Some once attended these same local schools. Now, as college students, they’re stepping into a role that models servant leadership in the most personal way.
This year, that same spirit of service was reflected in Dr. Quentin Young, who slipped into the gym quietly that morning to serve alongside them.
Filling water, fetching T-shirts, and greeting children with a warm smile, Dr. Young moved through the gym with purpose. He stepped in where needed but was always mindful not to shift the focus. He came to help, not to be seen.
For Dr. Young, the mission is personal. Cumberlands isn’t just where he works. It’s a place where transformation occurs.
That belief has guided him for more than a decade. Whether as Director of Business Services, Chief Financial Officer, or now as President, Dr. Young has led by example. He comes in early, stays late, and does whatever it takes to support the mission and vision of the university.
"The work we do makes a difference in so many lives. It’s not just about numbers. It’s about making a better world.”
Dr. Young holds this belief because he experienced it firsthand. Changing the world doesn’t always come through grand, earth-shaking events. Sometimes, the most meaningful impact begins by changing one life at a time. As a four-time Cumberlands graduate, he considers his time at the university to be deeply transformative.
That personal impact is part of what drew him back to Cumberlands. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2011, Dr. Young spent several years with the Forcht Group of Kentucky, where he worked across accounting, banking, and real estate. While he values that experience, the pull to return to a place that shaped him was too strong to ignore.
Dr. Young accepted his first role at the university as Director of Business Services in 2016. In that role, he managed operations like human resources, risk management, and food services. After a year in the position, he stepped into a new role as Director of Finance and Budget. In 2019, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer.
"Since I’ve been here, I’ve always seen my work as more than a job,” Dr. Young shared. “It’s about continuing a legacy of transformation. Transformation in students, in staff, in our region, and beyond.”
Cumberlands Through and Through
Dr. Quentin Young has earned four degrees from University of the Cumberlands:
Ph.D. in Information Technology - 2020
M.S. in Information Systems Security - 2017
MBA, Accounting Emphasis - 2015
B.S. in Accounting - 2011
The Young family’s connection to Cumberlands is both personal and longstanding. Dr. Young and his wife, Samantha, ’14, are Whitley County and Knox County natives. The two met while studying accounting at the university. He was drawn to her intelligence, a quality he continues to admire.
Early in her career, before Dr. Young joined the university, Samantha worked in Cumberlands’ accounts payable office. Today, she plays an active role in supporting the family’s financial planning at home. She’s also known for the warmth, generosity, and joy she brings to her role as both a devoted mother and wife of the university president.
The Youngs have three children: Evan, the oldest; Ella, the middle; and Emery, the youngest. Each brings a special spark to the family. Evan exudes confidence and class. Ella brings steadiness and wit. And at just three years old, Emery is the “wild child” who keeps everyone laughing.
"My wife and children are my daily reminder of why this work matters and why I believe so deeply in the mission of this university," Dr. Young shared. "They are the most important part of my story."
The Young household is full of life, joy, and strong values. These qualities naturally extend into the work they do at Cumberlands. So, when new doors opened at the university, stepping through them felt less like a leap and more like the next right step.
"Cumberlands has been transformational for Samantha and me, and we want others to have that same opportunity. I truly believe I’m here only by God’s grace. It’s a blessing and an honor to help advance the mission and vision of Cumberlands and to make a positive impact on the lives of the faculty, staff, and students I encounter each day."
Appalachian by Heart, Patriots by Spirit
There are two things the Young family especially enjoys in their free time: being outdoors and cheering on the Cumberlands Patriots.
“We certainly love the outdoors. Whether it’s camping, hiking, or fishing, I enjoy anything that connects me back to nature. God’s creation is a joy that refreshes me. And we’re in the perfect place for it here in Whitley County, right in the foothills of Appalachia. We have Cumberland Falls, the Cumberland River, the Daniel Boone Forest, and miles of trails all around us. The place we live...we’re so blessed.”
“Outside of that, we love rooting for the Patriots. That’s especially big for Evan, our oldest. He’s a huge fan. If we’re not outside, reading, or working, we’re probably watching a Cumberlands game. And if there’s not a game happening, Evan’s usually at home watching highlight videos from Cumberlands Sports Information. It’s a great hobby, and we have some really incredible teams.”
As much as I can
That’s Samantha Young’s response to how involved she hopes to be on campus. Why? Because, according to Samantha, Cumberlands has always been home.
As she and Dr. Young step into this new chapter, Samantha hopes to help current and future Cumberlands families feel that same deep connection.
“I’d like to be a helpful and kind presence on campus,” she said. “I hope to have several opportunities to open our home to the Cumberlands community. The President’s House tends to spark curiosity, but at its heart, it’s a home. I want students and families to feel completely at ease walking through its doors, not intimidated, just warmly welcomed.”
Her work in the accounts payable office at Cumberlands, gave her a behindthe-scenes look at how much work goes into supporting students, and it deepened her love for the institution.
“It just made my love for Cumberlands grow even more than I thought possible,” she said, “and it inspired me to give back when given the opportunity.”
Precision and Purpose
The activities we take on in our youth often do more than fill our time. They shape our values, sharpen our focus, and lay the groundwork for who we become. For Dr. Quentin Young, archery was more than a sport; it was an early teacher, instilling lessons that continue to guide his life and leadership today.
“Archery played a significant role in my life when I was young. Before I was even old enough to drive, I was traveling to tournaments and working with sponsors. That came with responsibility. I had to represent companies well and interact professionally with adults. It made me more aware of how I carried myself and pushed me to think beyond the moment I was in. Looking back, it really helped shape my work ethic and mindset early on.”
“There’s a mental side to archery that people don’t always realize. It’s a sport of focus, control, and consistency. A lot of it is mental, some would say ninety-nine percent. That kind of discipline changed how I approached everything. I started taking my goals more seriously. Even my hobbies had more intention behind them.”
“My coach was one of the first people who taught me what it really means to be responsible. He taught me the importance of giving back, of returning a favor, and showing appreciation when people do good things for you. He talked a lot about accountability...not just for your performance, but for how you treat others. Those lessons stayed with me. I carry them into this presidency today, because I believe leadership is about more than results. It’s about how you serve and how you show up for others.”
As both an alumnus and Whitley County local, Dr. Young deeply appreciates the university’s history and hopes to honor and build upon the work of those who came before him.
"I think we have to look back to the past, to the founding, to why we’re here and what we’ve done throughout the life of the university. I have great reminders all around me. Even above my desk I have a picture of Dr. Boswell and a quote from him that reads, 'There is so much need to be answered, so much work yet to be done. We have never yet failed the youth of our Kentucky Hills. We hope we never will.'"
While honoring the past, Dr. Young is also focused on the future.
"As we move forward, there’s a lot of tradition we need to hold to. But that tradition should also encourage us
to be innovative and to think differently. We will always look back and remember who we are and why we’re here. At the same time, we will look ahead."
Dr. Young points to three guiding principles for continued success: innovation, transformation, and inspiration.
"Innovation in that we should always be challenging ourselves, being better, doing better."
"Transformation. This is where it hits home. We believe education has the power to transform lives. When one life is transformed, it ripples outward to impact families, then communities. It’s a multiplier effect."
"And finally, inspiration. We want our students to walk away seeing a bigger picture. Cumberlands is a place of hope and inspiration that equips students to pursue
Inspiration T ransformation Innovation
brighter futures beyond the scope of what they ever thought possible. When I first arrived as a student, I had no idea what I wanted to be. Cumberlands opened my eyes to possibilities I never even knew existed."
That spirit of transformative inspiration is exactly what Dr. Young hopes to carry forward in his presidency. And for him, one moment from this year’s Shoes 4 the Soul event brought that vision to life.
"Kids were talking, laughing, and just living in the moment," Dr. Young recalled. "They were showing off their new shoes, and you could tell they were so proud and grateful. It was obvious that young lives were being impacted in meaningful ways."
As he stepped back to reflect on the energy in the room, a staff member from the Whitley County School
system approached him with a story.
"She had a big smile on her face and said, 'I just overheard a third grader talking with their buddy.' The child had asked, 'When I come to Cumberlands, can I do this too?'"
In that small, sincere question, Dr. Young saw the heart of the university’s mission in motion. A local child, someone who may have never imagined attending college, suddenly saw themselves on this campus. They saw themselves in their Cumberlands buddy. And for perhaps the first time, they began to dream.
"They’re seeing the example lived out. Hopefully it inspires the next generation," Dr. Young shared. "That’s what this is all about, planting seeds of service, faith, and hope that will grow long after the day is over."