Kentucky Community and Technical College System Faces Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Alleged Mismanagement and Retaliation Claims

Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is embroiled in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former chief of staff Hannah Rivera. The lawsuit claims that Rivera faced retaliation after making multiple reports regarding alleged waste, mismanagement, and legal violations within the college system. KCTCS, which serves over 100,000 students across 16 colleges, is currently seeking to have the complaint dismissed in Franklin County Circuit Court.

Rivera, who worked at KCTCS for a decade in various roles, including manager of government affairs and assistant chief of staff, alleges her termination in July 2023 was due to her protective actions under the Kentucky Whistleblower Act. In a statement, she expressed regret about the lawsuit, stating that much of her efforts were aimed at improving “policies and practices” within KCTCS.

The lawsuit cites tensions between Rivera and Barry Martin, chair of the KCTCS Board of Regents, during the search for a new president following Ryan Quarles’ appointment. Rivera claims Martin’s attempts to politically manipulate the presidential search led to significant conflicts. Martin reportedly pushed to label the search a failure and suggested violations of open meeting laws, which general counsel Pam Duncan countered as unfounded.

Once Quarles was selected, conflicts persisted. Rivera drafted a press release announcing the new president’s appointment but faced delays from Martin. Following the release, Rivera encountered criticism from Martin for not obtaining prior approval, leading to allegations of “fraudulent” behavior on his part.

Rivera’s complaint details her growing concerns over Quarles’ leadership, including his reluctance to implement recommendations from a costly review by Huron Consulting Group aimed at reforming KCTCS. Despite Rivera’s insistence on following through with legislative instructions for changes, Quarles allegedly resisted action.

As tensions rose, Rivera began feeling marginalized within the organization, facing exclusion from critical meetings. Following an administrative review on July 3, 2024, she presented a letter outlining her grievances, only to be placed on leave and subsequently terminated. KCTCS has since stated that Rivera resigned rather than faced dismissal.

The legal battle illustrates a broader context of scrutiny within KCTCS. A concurrent audit revealed a need for significant changes to internal policies and procedures, which Rivera noted were being neglected under Quarles’s leadership.

The case is assigned to Judge Thomas Wingate, with a motion hour scheduled for December 11, coinciding with the KCTCS board’s review of recommendations related to legislative resolutions aimed at reforming the college system. KCTCS spokesperson Blair Hess stated that Quarles is focused on improving compliance and educational access, maintaining that Rivera’s departure was voluntary.

Rivera, reflecting on her tenure at KCTCS, expressed concerns about ongoing issues that deny benefits to students and taxpayers, emphasizing the need for proper oversight and accountability within the system.