An Interview with Quintin Elliott '85

Recently Quintin Elliott responded to questions submitted by The Sentinel.

What issues did you find that needed to be addressed while on the Board?

The areas I wanted to focus on while on the BOV were controlling cost and in particular tuition and fees, academics, ensuring VMI maintained a strong honor system, producing citizen soldiers through a strong regimental system including the ratline, accountability and transparency. 

I believe there is not enough oversight by the BOV to ensure every dollar is being spent wisely. VMI’s tuition and fees are some of the highest in the state. Cadet fees in intercollegiate sports are the highest at $4k a year. The next highest fee is $3k. College sports are an important part of college life. With some of the programs struggling the question needs to asked should the athletic program continue on its current path or changed to allow athletes to compete in programs in which they can succeed.

The BOV needs to also look at its capital investment. The BOV and Superintend need to make sure that the basic needs of cadets are addressed before investing in new capital projects like a parking garage. While there have been some very great improvements made in the academic buildings, we need to make sure that classrooms and barracks are being maintained properly and there are not any hidden issues like mechanical, structural, mold or other issues. Does the institute need to invest in more lab space particularly in the STEM areas versus a parking garage?

With respect to education. Are the degreed programs aligned with the business needs of the Commonwealth? For example there is a big demand for engineers in Virginia. If Virginians are going to invest in higher education it is important that higher education align itself to produce graduates that meet the needs of the Commonwealth.

With respect to transparency, there is a lot that the BOV and VMI could do to improve transparency. In addition, to this the board needs to look into the cost that the Institute is charging citizens for information requested through FOIA. The BOV needs to also set aside time to discuss written comments received from the public.

The BOV and the administration needs to support free speech.

There were many other areas but they are too many to discuss during this interview.

What do you think led up to your not being confirmed by the GA?

First, I would like to thank Governor Glen Youngkin for considering and appointing me to the VMI Board of Visitors. I am so thankful I got to serve the citizens of Virginia again and the cadets.

I would like to start off by saying the General Assembly was within its legal right to deny my confirmation. With that being said I hope that their decision was based solely on my abilities as a person. The reason they provided during the session was not clear nor did any member of the General Assembly reach out to me to discuss their concerns. I only had interactions with one of the Senators who voted not to confirm me, during my career at VDOT, but he stated that he did not know me.

What qualities are you looking for in the next Superintendent?

Higher education faces numerous challenges including reduced confidence in the value of a college education especially as it relates to cost and the continued increase in tuition. In addition, there are numerous controversial social issues that are playing out in our society and the Superintendent needs to be able to stay focused on providing the best education possible to our cadets without allowing these social issues to permeate the class room. The Superintendent must maintain the highest of standards for admissions and for retention at the institute. Work with K-12 to develop the next level of cadets that can meet these high standards versus developing a lower standard that meet the abilities of students being educated in K-12. The Superintendent is the primary fund raiser for the Institute.

Specific qualities of a Superintendent

Develop a vision for the future – Global Perspective – Visionary Leadership – can lay out a compelling future focused vision and gain the support for execution and movement forward while not sacrificing the true VMI experience that includes; a corps led leadership program, ratline, military training for all cadets including athletes.

Stakeholder agility – an ability to understand the difference between their own views, priorities, and objectives and those of key stakeholders and align them appropriately.

Educating student for success – Must have a passion for education. Ensure students have the knowledge necessary to achieve their individual goals while ensure they meet the needs of the military, government and private sector they will be asked to serve in. Prioritize resources to include degrees towards in-demand career fields.

Academic credibility – Must truly understand VMI’s history and protect its founding principals while educating and training the cadets to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Communication and Transparency – Must be a good communicator. Need to be able to engage in a meaningful exchange with all stakeholders with diverse backgrounds even those he/she may not agree with. Be able to explain what he/she can or can not do to address their concerns and why. When making difficult decisions that are not popular should be able to effectively communicate why. Be open about the decisions made and why, be willing to admit mistakes made. It is important to be a good listener and responsive to all points of view. Publish key outcomes on website to help with public relations.

Conflict management and problem solving – being able to handle the pressures from external groups (parents, elected officials and alumni) and being able to defuse difficult situations.

Team Leader - Must be able to assemble a strong team, grow talent from within to take on key leadership roles. Provide direction as needed to staff. Be willing to consider opposing views and criticism and change direction as needed based on that input. Manage staff performance.

Adaptability and Crisis Management / Change Management - ability to deal with unexpected events that threaten the institutes existence. Need to be flexible in solving problems while protecting the institutes great name.

Protection of free speech – Ensure that all views have an equal opportunity to be heard while maintain civility. Don’t shut down speech that may not be in alignment with their personal views. Ensure the tenure program supports diverse views, use the probationary period to truly vet professors.

Post safety and student mental health -

Fundraising - Understanding that a large amount of VMI’s funds come from external sources. Work with legislature during GA session and especially while out of session to build good will and educate them on all that is good about VMI. Work with the AA to build good repour with all alumni and encourage donation. Be the face of VMI.

Mastery of financial stewardship - Ensure VMI continues to grow and must be a good fiduciary that treats every dollar as if it was their own.  VMI has a tremendous amount of data therefore, the Superintendent needs to be able to sort through this data and have staff provide reports that ensures accountability to the lowest level of the organization.

A true understanding of the traditional VMI experience – Cadets and Athletes must receive the same experience.

Represent the institution to the public – Protect the institutes reputation, VMI is good and don’t hide the mistakes but show how we have improved despite any missteps

Political savvy – Needs to be able to work with all groups (legislature local elected officials, Alumni, parents and public at large.) they interact with in order to build consensus, balancing opposing needs, compromise and resolve conflict.

Honest and integrity – Hold self and staff to the highest levels cadets are expected to adhere to.

Strict adherence to the US and VA Constitution – We all took an oath and future graduates will be ask to do the same, must live what we expect.

Why do you believe the Superintendents was not give a new contract once his current on expired?

I am sure the reason the Superintendents was not given a new four-year contract was due to his performance. I fully support the BOV's decision not to publicly discuss the reasons behind their decision regarding Maj. Gen. Wins' contract. More importantly, they are legally prohibited from doing so. Under Virginia law and the BOV's bylaws, discussions that take place in closed sessions, particularly those involving personnel matters, are exempt from public disclosure to include under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Unless Maj. Gen. Wins formally authorizes the release of this information, the BOV is both legally and ethically bound to maintain confidentiality.

What do you see the value of the PAC?

The Citizens of Virginia deserve and in fact demand that their children be given the best education possible to ensure their children are prepared to enter the work force and become productive citizens. The education system has been eroding at an alarming rate over the past few decades due to many different reasons. One of the main reasons is the elected officials to include the General Assembly have failed our youth. There has been too much focus placed on social issues in our schools at the expense of actual education. The continued pushing of these social issues in our school systems as well as an adoption of lower standards required for graduating from k-12 and college has lead to graduates that are not prepared to meet the demands of the businesses within Virginia. This lowering of standards is a big disservices to our youth. The PAC’s focus on working with elected officials no matter their political party who are focused on enhancing our education system in Virginia is a great service to all Virginians. Virginia deserves better and the PAC is looking for the best to lead us towards having the best education system in the nation and the world.