Kevin Caldwell’s Passion for Helping Others Helped Guide Him to Become Campus President at SJVC’s Temecula Campus

It was not that many years ago that Kevin Caldwell was struggling to find his way toward a meaningful and successful career. At the time, he and his wife Marcella were expecting their fourth child when he was laid off from work. Uncertainty stretched out before them. “You have more to give than what was in this job,” Marcella told Kevin. “She was right. It was a blessing in disguise that I was out of work,” says Kevin. 

Kevin took a strong look at his natural abilities and interests. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people find their inner potential and helping them to see there are doors that can open. Coaching, motivating, advising, teaching – those are all things that led me to SJVC,” he says. 

With his wife’s total support and encouragement, Marcella’s budding photography business kept them afloat until Kevin began working for SJVC as a High School Admissions Advisor. It was a perfect fit and the start of a rewarding career. 

“Getting into schools and classrooms, being in front of those faces looking at you and wanting to know why you’re there and what you have to say, is the best part,” says Kevin. “I am someone who can give them sound advice about their future, give them questions they should be asking themselves, teachers and colleges to help them determine their career future.” 

Kevin took the opportunity to give students important criteria for making a career decision. “I tell them not to pursue something just because of the pay, perks, job security or a field with advancement,” he says. “Make sure those things are in place but do what fulfills you. If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not going to be happy.” Following that same advice is what led Kevin to SJVC. 

As a father and Sunday School teacher, Kevin has always had meaningful life experiences and sage advice to share with young people. But his ability to mentor took on a greater depth just after his child was born and he began working at SJVC. It was a powerful turnaround that gave him the freedom to approach all things with love in his heart. “I had no direction until I turned my life around,” says Kevin. “I am a completely different person now. I have patience and am happy. I wasn’t like that before.” 

Kevin feels that soul-purpose connection with SJVC. “What we do at the College is change people’s lives,” he says. “I wanted to have an impact on people’s lives, too, so when this position came up, I thought, ‘OK, let’s see where this can go.’” 

Things began to line up. “Everything this school stands for is right in line with who I am and what I’ve become,” says Kevin. After years of hard work and serving in a variety of positions, he is now the Campus President at SJVC Temecula. 

Kevin was able to grow his career as part of the SJVC family while he expanded and provided support for his family at home. Now all the students, colleagues and administrators at SJVC Temecula can benefit from Kevin’s experiences and career choices.