Alexander Gonzalez believes in hard work and determination. Those values served him well as he grew up in a tough part of Los Angeles, served his country in the United States Air Force, worked his way through college, and ultimately as the president of Sacramento State.

His values were formed early on growing up in a big, tight-knit family.

“I had a really good childhood, but we didn’t have much money. We were poor,” Gonzalez said.

On reflection, Gonzalez said this background made him value hard work, education and family. He believes these are the values that got him where he is today.

One of the turning points of his life came after high school when he realized he was living in a “sheltered environment.”

“I could have just stayed home and went to work,” Gonzalez said. “But a friend and I decided we were going to join the Navy. We went to the recruiter’s office, but the Navy recruiter was out. The Air Force recruiter was there, so we joined the Air Force. We figured it was just another shade of blue.”

Serving in the Air Force in the late 1960’s, Gonzalez spent his overseas tour in the Philippines.

“I learned a lot in the Air Force,” Gonzalez said. “It taught me discipline, and that I could be competitive with anybody. Being around men and women from all over the country really opens your perspective. Traveling overseas really changes you, too.”

The next pivotal decision in his life came when he decided to go back to college. He was the first in his family to attend college and felt very privileged to be able to.

“I had a very good job after I got out of the Air Force,” Gonzalez said. “I was driving a truck for a while and then became the manager. It was a big decision to forestall working full time.”

Both Gonzalez and his wife worked while he went to school, but it paid off.

“The longer I was in school, the more I got recruited to go to other schools,” Gonzalez said. “Faculty members suggested I go to law school. Everywhere I applied I was accepted.”One of the offers was too good to pass up — Harvard.

“I did very well,” Gonzalez said. “I even clerked at a law firm in the summer. They really liked me and wanted me to come back. But midway in my second year, I began to really think if law was what I wanted to do. That was the next big decision in my life … to leave Harvard.”

Gonzalez found psychology something he was passionate about and earned his master’s and doctorate at UC Santa Cruz. His intentions were to teach and do research. He taught at Fresno State but ultimately went into administration.

Advice he gives his sons and students is to set goals and take one step at a time.

“Often what happens with young people is they want to get there too quickly,” Gonzalez said. “What they need to do when they come in their first two years is to take as many courses as they can that will be diverse. Take art, music, history and social sciences. That’s what General Education is all about. Then when they pick a major, they’ll be well grounded.”

Learning to communicate effectively both in written and verbal form, is also vital to succeed, Gonzalez said.

“These are skills you need in any job,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzales believes that working with young people and enjoying his job is what keeps him young. He looks forward to the “opportunities” at Sac State and sees one of his biggest goals is to complete the Recreation, Wellness and Events Center where students will be able to work out, receive health care, attend sporting events and hold graduation.

“Students right now are not being served,” Gonzalez said. “It will be great to have a place where they can work out and graduate without standing in the hot sun.”Philip Garcia, special assistant to the president for government relations, describes Gonzalez as a “straight shooter.”

“He articulates a vision you can believe in,” Garcia said. “He creates energy. His vision is bold and ambitious, but that’s what’s exciting. He believes we can all rise to the challenge.”Gonzalez hopes to be at Sac State for a long time. He said the accomplishments he has made in his life weren’t made alone.

“It’s not just me,” Gonzalez said. “It’s my wife. I couldn’t have done anything without her. My wife has probably been the most influential person in my life.”