Illinois Central College president set to retire after four decades in education
Quirk-Bailey, a Bradley graduate, leaves behind a legacy of leadership and ushered in significant transformation to the college since she assumed office in July 2016, strengthening ICC's recruitment and graduation rates and its student services.
"It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve ICC and this community," Dr. Quirk-Bailey stated in a release July 1. "The work we have accomplished together has laid a strong foundation for the future, and I'm confident ICC will continue to change lives and strengthen our region for years to come."
Quirk-Bailey came to ICC with 24 years of experience at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, spending her last five years there as chief of staff and vice president of planning and institutional effectiveness. She also worked at Andersen Consulting Center for Professional Education, the corporate university of the multinational consulting firm.
During Quirk-Bailey's tenure at ICC, enrollment at the college has increased for five consecutive semesters, and the college reduced placement in developmental education by 66% without impacting student success, ICC said. In May 2025, more than 2,389 graduates received diplomas and certificates. The president's leadership also raised graduation and retention rates, bringing more students to the school to complete at least a four-year degree.
More: Gov. Pritzker visits Illinois Central College on reelection tour
Quirk-Bailey supported ICC's workforce programs, including the Workforce Empowerment Initiative, which targets low-income participants to give them a credential and living wage. Since its start, the WEI program has helped more than 1,200 people out of poverty, with participants seeing an average increase of nearly $33,000 in annual wages, according to ICC.
The president was also a part of the IT Workforce Accelerator, offering free IT credentials, tuition and books, and the first prison education program in the country funded by federal Pell Grants.
As part of ICC's "One Strategic Plan," the college will launch year-round eight-week scheduling, expand micro and stackable credentials and develop boot camps and competency-based education models. The plan will also implement a new enterprise resource planning platform to support future growth.
"Dr. Quirk-Bailey's positive impact on Illinois Central College — and on the thousands of students and families whose lives have been changed through education — cannot be overstated," said Cindy Byrd, chair of the ICC Board of Trustees. "She has led with vision, diligence and an unwavering focus on student success. On behalf of the Board, we thank Dr. Quirk-Bailey for her extraordinary service and look forward to honoring her significant contributions to ICC and the greater community."
The ICC Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for the college's next president.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois Central College president to retire from East Peoria school
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