Image credit: Staff Sgt. Sun L. Vega/U.S. Army
June 21, 2020
Why your next university president should be a veteran
Robert L. Caslen’s tenure as president at the University of South Carolina was nearly over before it began. When he started his presidency in August 2019, he faced dissension from almost every constituency, including board members who opposed him, student organizations that protested, and faculty members who passed a vote of no-confidence.
Caslen’s eventual appointment was part of a whirlwind process spanning two separate searches and involvement by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. His candidacy was marred by a host of factors and objections, some justified and others not. Those in opposition pointed to previous comments Caslen had made about the role of alcohol in sexual harassment, argued his military background was a liability, and noted his lack of a terminal degree. What President Caslen did not lack was both experience as a leader and as an executive in higher education; he is a U.S. Army veteran who served as the 59th superintendent at West Point.
Read the full article in The Hill.
More from CNAS
-
Called to Lead
Reports
Authors Barrett Bogue and Dr. Andrew Morse examine the connections between military service and higher education leadership roles based on interviews with veterans who work in...
By Barrett Y. Bogue & Dr. Andrew Morse
-
Trump allegedly disparaged America’s war dead. The backlash probably won’t decide the election.
Commentary
Civil-military lines are more blurred than ever....
By Jim Golby
-
John Kelly lent his military credibility to Trump. It’s too late now to stay neutral.
Commentary
There is, however, no middle ground whereby former officers can enter the political fray but then claim the mantle of nonpartisan servants when things do not turn out the way ...
By Dr. Jason Dempsey
-
United Kingdom Veteran Landscape
Reports
Executive Summary A close history of collaboration in national security and diplomacy between the United States and United Kingdom leads to many similarities between military ...
By Emma Moore, Kayla M. Williams & Zachary Jaynes
