Robert L. Caret is chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland (USM). He joined the USM as chancellor on July 1, 2015, was officially inaugurated as its fourth chancellor on November 19, 2015, and stepped down on January 5, 2020. Dr. Caret’s extensive networks and deep understanding of the issues related to higher education make him an excellent advisor and resource to institutions hiring their next executive leader.
While Dr. Caret was chancellor at USM, the system increased enrollment to more than 176,000 students and awarded more than 42,000 degrees—including 75 percent or more of Maryland’s bachelor’s degrees--per year. During his tenure, USM also expanded its role as an economic engine for the state of Maryland and continued to build its reputation for academic and research excellence. USM institutions, faculty, students, and graduates attracted more than $1.4 billion in federal and privately funded research dollars in FY 2018.
Before joining USM as chancellor, Dr. Caret was president of the University of Massachusetts System (UMass) from 2011 until 2015, president of Towson University (TU) from 2003 to 2011, and president of San Jose State University (SJSU) from 1995 to 2003. He also served as a faculty member, dean, executive vice president, and provost during his more than 25-year tenure at Towson. Dr. Caret’s accomplishments include but are not limited to creating positive and productive partnerships with government, business, non-profit, and civic organizations; raising student graduation rates; emphasizing efficiency and cost saving initiatives; and completing a capital fundraising and building campaign to support campus infrastructure improvements.
Active in the national higher education community, Dr. Caret recently served as chair of both the National Association of System Heads and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Board of Directors. He also has recently served on the board of Business-Higher Education Forum, Southern Regional Higher Education Board, Higher Ed for Higher Standards Board of Advisors, and the Government University Industry Research Roundtable.
Dr. Caret holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire and a B.S. in chemistry from Suffolk University in Boston.