Caldera would like to see UNM reach higher status

Louis Caldera wants to be the next president of UNM because, he says, of the kind of institution UNM is.

"One of the challenges will be to put the necessary resources together to be one of the best," Caldera said. "I'd like to generate a sense of excitement for what the possibilities are. I'd like to increase awareness that UNM is one of the best research universities in the country."

Caldera is vice chancellor for University Advancement of the California State University system. It is the largest four-year system in the country.

"We are a 23 campus, 400,000 student system that is growing by 5 percent each year," Caldera said. "I work at the system level, helping to build public and private support throughout the system."

He added that he is very involved in fundraising at the federal, public and private levels.

Caldera also was appointed to two positions in the Clinton Administration. From 1998-2001 he was Secretary of the Army.

"It was my job to make sure our soldiers were manned, trained and equipped," Caldera said. "We made sure our soldiers were ready for any missions our country asked of them."

Caldera also served as managing director and chief operating officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service from 1997 to 98. His duties were to run the federal grant-making agency which he said was like a parent organization to AmeriCorps.

Caldera has also had a successful political career. He served three terms in the California State Assembly, representing the 46th district near downtown Los Angeles from 1992-97. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has received the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Award and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award.

Caldera earned his bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy in 1978, his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1987 and his master's of business administration from Harvard Business School, also in 1987. He is married and said he and his wife, Eva, would like to raise his three daughters Allegra, Sophia and Camille in Albuquerque.

Caldera said he will be visiting campus probably in the second week of April. He said his philosophy on higher education is that every child deserves an opportunity.

"I'm a passionate believer in education as someone who has benefited greatly from public education," he said. "Tremendous opportunities are open because we have a system where if you work hard, the opportunities are limitless. Every young person needs to go beyond high school and every child deserves the opportunities of a challenging education."