Dr. Robert L. Caret is a Partner in the Education Practice of RIDGE-LANE LP.
Dr. Caret is Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Maryland (USM), where he oversaw 12 universities, 3 regional centers, and its online degree program University of Maryland Global Campus, which collectively serve ~200,000 students. During his 40+ years of public higher education leadership, he earned recognition for his excellence in ensuring college affordability, academic excellence, and the efficient use of resources. He is credited with emphasizing university partnerships to enhance students' experiences as well as progress in economic and workforce development.
He was President of the University of Massachusetts System (UMass), where he emphasized efficiency, cost-saving initiatives, and productive working relationships with government and business leaders. His successful pursuit of a 50-50 funding formula for UMass resulted in the state and students contributing equally to the university's general education program and a 22 percent increase in the base budget for two years. He also secured additional state funding, allowing UMass to freeze tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students for two consecutive years.
Dr. Caret was President of Towson University, where he also served as Dean, Executive Vice President and Provost, where he created partnerships with regional business, non-profit and civic organizations, raised student graduation rates, and undertook a capital fundraising and building campaign to develop campus infrastructure. He oversaw an increase in the university's online courses and expanded the availability of TU courses at regional higher education centers. He was instrumental in offering transfer students the flexibility to pursue a four-year degree after completing an associate degree at a community college.
He was President of San Jose State University, part of the California State University System, where he is credited for bringing a vision to SJSU as the metropolitan university of Silicon Valley.
Dr. Caret served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of System Heads (Chair), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (Chair), the American Council on Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Government University Industry Research Roundtable, the University of Maryland Medical System, World Trade Center Institute, the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, and the Mary Christie Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Caret holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Suffolk University in Boston.
