In celebration of Veterans Day, the College of Business Administration proudly highlights Uriel Saldivar, assistant professor of management and human resources at Cal Poly Pomona. Before earning his doctorate in philosophy from Michigan State University, Saldivar completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northeastern Illinois University while simultaneously serving as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps—an experience that continues to shape his approach to leadership, education and research.
As one of the CBA’s newest faculty members, Saldivar’s work explores leadership, negotiated work arrangements, and remote work, with publications in Group & Organization Management, and presentations at leading management conferences. His passion for teaching has been evident throughout his career, earning him the Graduate Student Teaching Award during his doctoral studies at Michigan State University.
Below, the assistant professor shares how his time in the Marine Corps continues to influence his perspectives as both a scholar and educator.
What initially made you want to serve in the military?
Since I was a young boy growing up post 9/11, I always saw military service as a great honor to our nation. A pivotal moment for me was when an older cousin joined the Army in my teen years. Seeing my cousin in their uniform was inspiring and motivated me to join the Marine Corps in 2013.
How has your military service shaped your perspectives, both as a human being and as an educator?
There is no doubt that I am where I am today because of the fortitude and resilience instilled in me by the Marine Corps. One key thing I learned is that our outcomes are always influenced by chance and external factors that are outside our control, but we can always work on the things we can control. The Marine Corps is often recognized as being brutal in terms of culture, but even then, we are taught to take care of the Marines we lead. This is critical as the Marines have some of the highest suicide rates among the branches. As a Sergeant-of-Marines-turned-educator, I emphasize to my students that leadership is not just about telling people what to do to get the job done, it's also about caring for the people you lead so that they can continue to get the job done.
How does Cal Poly Pomona best support students who are enlisted servicemen and women?
I believe that building community among those who serve is the most practical way and I believe CPP is already good at this. I have only heard good things about the Veterans Resource Center here at CPP, and I encourage all service members and veterans to get involved and build community through this resource.
As one of our new faculty members, what excites you most about teaching at the College of Business Administration?
Our students are the most exciting factor. I partly came to CPP CBA because it is among few business schools with a large proportion of first-generation college students. As a first-generation college student myself and someone that has worked with non-profits helping first-generation students, I was excited to continue making a difference in the lives of students who walk a similar path that I once did.
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
Happy Veteran's Day to all our service-connected students, faculty, and staff and happy 250th birthday to the United States Marine Corps!
