Home to students from many different backgrounds and walks of life, the California State University ensures its leaders reflect the communities they serve and are equipped to meet students' needs by pulling from their personal and professional experiences.
Those CSU leaders who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces bring a unique perspective to their role, with a particular eye toward serving student veterans—many of whom are nontraditional students earning an education. In honor of Veterans Day, hear from a few CSU veteran leaders on how their military service has informed their work.
Vice Admiral (Ret.) Michael J. Dumont
Cal Maritime Interim President
How do you draw on your experience in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy Reserve to inform your leadership and role at Cal Maritime?
I have served in two branches of the American military and had some very challenging leadership roles and experiences. While most of my military experience was in the U.S., I also served overseas for many years and worked alongside military and government civilian employees from about 50 or more different nations. In those roles, I had no direct authority over many of the people I served alongside. To be successful, you had to understand differing perspectives and national limitations to get the job done. It was very much a collaborative and give-and-take experience, much like higher education. And like higher education, many things did not occur quickly. It often took months and even years of trial and error and back-and-forth negotiations to achieve an objective. It teaches you patience, that's for sure!
How does being a veteran shape one's experience while in school and in their career after school?
It's an interesting question that I have thought about many times. Following my undergraduate education, I joined the U.S. military as a military aviator for five years. It was during that time that I decided to leave the active-duty military and attend law school. During my law school education, I remained in the military as a reserve military pilot, working my way through law school. I later went on to earn two master's degrees. During those academic experiences I came to understand that I had much better time management and prioritization skills than I had as an undergrad! I was also a bit older than most of my fellow students, so I had more life experience, especially after having served in combat a few times. Being a combat veteran changes your perspective and how you approach most things, like time management. Veterans bring a lot to the classroom and to their subsequent employers as well.
What do student veterans bring to their universities that help contribute to the rich fabric of academia?
Student veterans bring differing views, perspectives and experiences into the classroom, and they enrich the experience for all learners. I have come to the realization that the American military and the classrooms of our colleges and universities have much more in common than most people realize, much to the chagrin of many in higher education today. Our military and our college classrooms are two of the best rehearsal places for democracy. Whether new to the military or new to a college or university classroom, we quickly learn that we're actually not that special! Our own shortcomings are pointed out to us, whether by military drill sergeants or no-nonsense college professors who have heard it all before. We learn that while we are entitled to our own opinions, we are not entitled to our own facts. And one can enter the American military or the college classroom with one opinion and can leave it with a completely different opinion. Our student veterans contribute to democracy, and they also contribute to the very rich fabric of academia.
Vernon B. Harper Jr.
CSU Bakersfield President
How do you draw on your experience in the U.S. Army Reserve to inform your leadership and role at CSU Bakersfield?
Military experience serves to deepen your well of determination and resilience. What you're asked to do in the military is to put aside any self-serving pursuits and instead focus on the noble, unifying mission of upholding the ideals of our nation. That well of resilience has followed me into civilian life, creating confidence in me that seems to spread to others. My service also taught me discipline and patience, traits that are indispensable in my role as a university president.
What do student veterans bring to their universities that help contribute to the rich fabric of academia?
Student veterans provide a perspective on the nature of service that is essential to a functioning democracy. They are part of the hallowed tradition of sacrifice that our country was founded on, and, through their example, they create an environment of patriotism. At CSUB, our student veterans command the respect of their fellow students, as well as faculty and staff, because their commitment to service does not end with their reentry into civilian life.
Jack McGrory
Member, Board of Trustees
How do you draw on your experience in the U.S. Marine Corps to inform your leadership and role on the CSU Board of Trustees?
I consider the four years I served as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer to be the most important job of my life. In some ways it was a rite of passage. But it was more than that. I learned leadership and management skills from the finest men I have ever met. And, those lessons have served me my entire career. It was an honor to be a Marine rifle platoon and a rifle company commander. Semper Fi!
How does being a veteran shape one's experience while in school and in their career after school?
Those of us who have served are proud of our commitment to our country. We sacrificed part of our life to defend our democracy. And in some ways, we realize more than others what it means to be an American. Being a Marine veteran has been an invaluable part of my career. And I will always remember my military roots.
Hear from student veterans about their experience at the CSU.