President, Cleveland State University
Michael Schwartz does not talk big. Sure, he’ll tell you his goals for CSU. But he’ll do so softly and simply. Then, he’ll go back to his office, get to work and, ultimately, deliver more than he promised. After taking office in 2001, he said his goals were to improve the school academically and to make the campus feel like a vibrant part of downtown. Since then, Fenn Tower has been converted into suites for students, a new $31 million recreation center has opened, an honors program has started and student enrollment increased 15 percent for fall 2007. Soon, construction will start on a new student union intended to be the school’s signature building. The one thing he keeps off campus? Ego. He learned that lesson after leaving the post of president at Kent State University. A year later, a student stopped him and asked, “Didn’t you used to be Michael Schwartz?”
