For many, retirement is a time to slow down, but Edwin Quarles — a U.S. Air Force veteran, former entrepreneur and now a dedicated social work student at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) — has no plans to ease up. For him, education is a new mission, one he’s embraced with grit and resilience.
Three years ago, after selling his business and settling into a quieter life, Quarles found himself feeling stagnant.
“I was sitting in my backyard, on the land I’d bought, and I realized I wasn’t as sharp as I used to be,” he said.
Seeking mental stimulation and new goals, he connected with his Veteran Affairs counselor and decided to return to school. After a 30-year break from his academic journey, he graduated on the dean’s list with an associate degree from Central Piedmont Community College in 2023. Then, pursuing a long-held dream of earning a degree from a historically Black college or university (HBCU), Quarles applied to NCCU, his first and only choice. He was thrilled to receive his acceptance letter and began the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program in fall 2024.
Twice a week, Quarles makes the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Charlotte to Durham, despite chronic back and knee pain stemming from his service in Operation Desert Storm.
“I make that drive every Tuesday and Thursday in pain but earning a bachelor’s degree is something I really want to accomplish,” he said.
Online technology has posed the greatest challenge in Quarles’ academic journey, but he is grateful for supportive professors and classmates.
“My social work professors really want to make sure you understand the material. They come to class prepared, which makes it easy to learn. They also value my experience as an adult learner and often ask for my perspective in class. My classmates view me as a peer, not ‘the old guy’ on campus, and that matters,” he said.
For Quarles, NCCU is more than a place of learning; it’s a community. He recently attended his first NCCU homecoming and is already planning to make it an annual tradition, complete with his own tailgate next year.
Looking ahead, his ambitions extend beyond the classroom. He plans to fast-track into the university's master’s program in social work and use his experience as an elected official and community leader to advocate for impactful policies. In April, Governor Roy Cooper appointed him to the North Carolina Veterans Affairs Commission, where he represents the 12th Congressional District. He also serves as a commissioner for the Town of Huntersville.
“Social work is about serving the community,” he says. “NCCU is giving me the tools to make an impact on a macro level.”
Balancing roles as a husband, father, grandfather and an elected official, Quarles takes a disciplined approach to his responsibilities.
“I do what I have to do before I can do what I want to do. Home comes first,” he said, crediting his strong organizational skills for helping him stay on track.
His determination has inspired his family as well. His son, motivated by his father’s dedication, recently earned a 4.0 GPA at his college in Florida.
To other adult learners and veterans inspired by his journey, his advice is simple:
“Set your own pace and challenge yourself. Stay focused and remember, the sky’s the limit. Never be satisfied—there’s always more to learn and achieve.”
