San José State University Caret became president of
San José State University in February 1995. In 1997 Caret and former San José Mayor
Susan Hammer discussed the idea of creating a joint library to benefit the city of San Jose and San Jose State University. The resulting
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library opened in August 2003 and became the first joint university and city library in the United States. at
San José State University Towson University From 2003 to 2011, Caret was president of
Towson University where he had previously served as a faculty member, dean, executive vice president and provost during his 29-year tenure. As president of Towson University, he created partnerships with regional business, non-profit and civic organizations; raised student graduation rates; and undertook a capital fundraising and building campaign to support campus infrastructure improvements. 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 establishing Towson University in Northeastern Maryland, which offers transfer students the flexibility to pursue a four-year degree after completing an associate degree at a community college. During more than 25 years collectively at Towson University, Caret served as a faculty member, dean, executive vice president and provost.
University of Massachusetts System From Towson University, he moved to the
University of Massachusetts System, where he served as president of UMass and its five campuses. Throughout his UMass tenure, he has emphasized efficiency, cost-saving initiatives, and productive working relationships with Massachusetts 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. He was inaugurated as the system's fourth chancellor on November 19, 2015. As USM chancellor, Caret continued to focus on areas that have earned him national respect for his success in such areas helping to ensure college affordability, academic excellence, and the efficient use of resources. In addition, he is credited with emphasizing university partnerships to enhance students' experiences and to impact regional progress in economic and workforce development. Early in his tenure, he led a four-day "Statewide Listening Tour" throughout all regions of Maryland to meet with leaders in business, economic development, and community engagement. The 900-mile bus tour provided the basis for policy initiatives that have helped the university system work with political leaders and engaged citizens to help advance the state. Caret told regents he would not seek a renewal of his contract and that he would step down in the summer of 2020. Once his successor was named, Caret offered to step down earlier and was succeeded by Jay Perman on Jan. 6, 2020. Officials said he would go on sabbatical and return to the Towson faculty following the sabbatical. He instead joined the Florida executive recruitment firm Greenwood/Asher & Associates, where he is vice president of executive search. Greenwood/Asher is the same firm that assisted UMass in recruiting to fill its presidential vacancy in 2010. ==Awards and recognition==