He earned a Ph.D. in English and master’s degrees in English and American Studies from the University of Southern California, and an M.A. in Mass Communication and a B.A. in English (summa cum laude) from California State University, Northridge. Dr. Kimberling holds honorary doctorates from five colleges and universities, he has served as Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and from 1981 to 1988, he held several senior leadership posts in the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. Kimberling has published and presented extensively on the subject of education, covering subject matter ranging from federal student aid and career learning to school reform and the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the White House Council on Human Resources, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, National Commission to Assess Veterans Education Programs, National Advisory Commission on Student Financial Assistance, Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education, and the Illinois Task Force on Higher Education and the Economy. His further experience in corporate governance includes service as a Director and Vice Chairman of a publicly traded corporation and several appointments as a corporate officer.

He is also the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Paul Quinn College, Cincinnati Metropolitan College, Edward Waters College, St. Augustine’s College, and West Coast University.