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news:
Former Secretary
of Army begins stint at CSULB
By Stephine Michrina
Summer Forty-Niner
Louis Caldera,
the former U.S. Secretary of the Army, began his stint as
Cal State University vice chancellor last week, bringing his
ambition to the university to expand public and private support
in an effort to raise the quality of higher education.
"I'm a big
passionate believer in education," Caldera said after
finishing up his first week at his new post.
Caldera was appointed
vice chancellor by the California State University Board of
Trustees on June 4.
Before joining
the CSU family, Caldera was the 17th Secretary of the Army
after being nominated by former-President Clinton and confirmed
by the U.S. Senate.
Caldera has been
involved in education throughout most of his career. "I
see education as the thread that has been a part of everything
I've done."
Caldera brings
to CSU a unique history of finding ways to attract and retain
students. While working with the Army, Caldera initiated programs
like College First and GED Plus. He also worked heavily on
recruiting by expanding ROTC plans and starting advertising
plans.
Throughout his
career with the Army he was forced to deal with dwindling
recruitment numbers because of increasing college bound students.
"Kids understand
they need college and are choosing it over the Army,"
Caldera said. In order to attract more students, Caldera promoted
programs that allowed soldiers to work towards a degree while
serving for the Army.
He also touted
the Army's efforts to make classes available online. "If
you want to achieve new levels in education, you've go to
make it easier for working adults to go back to school."
Caldera, who hasn't had the chance to take an online course,
believes online education isn't for everyone, but could benefit
children who don't learn well in traditional classrooms and
adults who need the convenience of an online course.
Caldera graduated
from West Point and began his career as a commissioner officer
in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1983. He later served in the
U.S. Army Reserve. After leaving active duty, Caldera attended
Harvard University where he earned a law degree from Harvard
Law School and a master's degree from Harvard Business School
in 1987.
Caldera also previously
served as managing director and chief operating officer for
the Corporation for National Service. The federal grant-making
agency that provides opportunities for Americans of all ages
to participate in services that address the United State's
educational, public safety, environmental and human needs.
A Texas native
who grew up in Whittier, Caldera said the decision to return
to California was natural. "I'm from California, so it
made it of great interest to come home."
Caldera, a father
of three daughters, is still searching for a house around
the Long Beach area where his family will relocate from Maryland.
New Responsibilities
As vice chancellor
to CSU, Caldera takes on a plethora of tasks like fund raising,
public affairs, communications and community relations. On
the top of Caldera's list is getting more university support
from public and private institutes, including corporations
and the federal government.
Caldera spent last
week at a president's retreat getting to know the presidents
of the CSU system throughout the state. According to Caldera,
the administrators spoke openly about issues like faculty
and student housing, and new construction bonds.
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