Louis Caldera became the 18th president of the University of New Mexico on August 1, 2003. As President, Caldera leads the state’s flagship research institution and third largest employer. UNM operates on a budget of $1.4 billion and is home to New Mexico’s only medical school and law school.

Caldera served as Secretary of the Army from 1998 to 2001 during the Clinton Administration. As Secretary, Caldera was responsible, among other things, for the Army’s weapons acquisition programs, including overseeing the Army’s research and development and science and technology programs. Caldera initiated highly popular educational programs for soldiers and recruits, and together with the Army’s Chief of Staff, General Eric K. Shinseki, announced and set into motion a new vision for a more versatile and highly deployable force for the network centric battlefield. As Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service from 1997 to 1998, he ran the federal grant-making agency supporting Americorps, the National Senior Service Corps and Learn and Serve America.

As a member of the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1997, Caldera focused on economic development, higher education and children’s health and safety. Before coming to UNM, Caldera held the post of Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at California State University System, the largest four-year university system in the country. Caldera has been appointed to serve on two national education commissions – the National Commission on the Senior Year in High School, 2000-2001; and the National Commission NAEP 12th Grade Assessment and Reporting, 2003.

Caldera graduated from West Point and holds an MBA and a JD from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. He serves on the boards of Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc., UNM Science and Technology Corp., and Southwest Airlines.

Caldera lives in Albuquerque with his wife, Eva, and three daughters.