Scholars Around the World
Two JKCF Scholars organize a 15-day study tour to Bolivia to explore the country’s political economy, peoples and rural development
Louis Caldera to Join Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
News Release
June 8, 2010
LOUIS CALDERA, FORMER WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL, UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, TO JOIN THE JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION
Lansdowne, VA -- The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation today announced the appointment of Louis Caldera as its Vice President of Programs. In that position, he will be responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s current programs as well as the development of new ones. He’ll begin that position on July 6th.
Mr. Caldera had been a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a public policy think tank, where he focused on higher education issues as well as immigration and other public policy matters that affect Hispanic/Latino and other minority communities.
Earlier in his distinguished career, Mr. Caldera had been director of the White House Military Office, a member of President Obama’s transition team, president of the University of New Mexico, Secretary of the Army, and managing director and chief operating officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, among other positions.
He received his undergraduate degree at the United States Military Academy at West Point and his M.B.A. and J.D. from Harvard University.
“I am deeply attracted to the Foundation’s mission because it resonates with my own personal story as the son of Mexican immigrants,” said Caldera. “It is my life-long commitment to challenge and assist others from similar circumstances to make the most of their God-given talents through improved educational and career opportunities and mentoring.”
Mr. Caldera lives in suburban Washington, DC with his wife and their three daughters.
“We’re tremendously excited to have Louis joining us,” said Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D., executive director of the Foundation. “He not only understands what we’re trying to accomplish at an intellectual level; he gets it at a gut level.”
Since its inception in 2000, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has awarded 1,200 scholarships totaling more than $60-million to high-achieving low-income students, and has given more than $46-million in grants to nonprofit organizations that have similar missions.