Quillen grew up in New Castle, Delaware. Her father, William Quillen, was a judge on the Delaware Supreme Court. Her mother, Marcia, was director of development at Wilmington Friends School.[2] Quillen attended the University of Chicago, where she was a student of Allan Bloom. After finishing her PhD at Princeton University, Quillen became a professor of history at Rice University in 1990. At Rice, Quillen eventually became a vice president, focusing on international studies.[3]
In 2011, Quillen became president of Davidson College, becoming the college's first female president and first non-alumnus president.[2] She has overseen major initiatives and changes, including major construction projects such as adding a new practice facility at the Baker Sports Complex and a new science center. She also aided in the transition from the Southern Conference to the Atlantic 10 Conference.[4] During her tenure, Davidson received totaling $45 million from The Duke Endowment, the largest donation in the school's history. Quillen has also overseen the college's $425-million capital campaign.[5] Quillen has advocated accountability for the victims of campus sexual assault[6] and called for increased due process for victims.[7] Quillen resigned from Davidson in 2022, calling her time at the college as an "extraordinary gift".[8]
In 2014, she was appointed to the Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans by President Barack Obama.[9] Since 2016, Quillen has served as a trustee of the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park.[10]
In 2024, Quillen became president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.[11]
