Michael A. Caruso

Michael A. Caruso was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Human Resources and Education Hall of Fame in 2006.

Caruso earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from West Virginia University in 1956 and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance in 1958. He began his career as a chemistry teacher and guidance counselor at University High School when the school was operated by WVU. In 1968, he joined the College of Human Resources and Education as an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and as a certification officer in the Office of Student Advising and Records.

Over the course of his 40-year career, Caruso became a trusted advisor and expert on teacher certification. He processed more than 35,000 certification applications, advised over 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and regularly collaborated with school districts and the West Virginia Department of Education. He was known for his accessibility, fairness, and unwavering support of students and educators throughout the state.

Caruso received the College’s first Laddie Reed Bell Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and was also honored that year with the Sallie Mae Teacher Tribute Award. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa education honoraries and served in the U.S. Army. Upon his retirement in 1996, he was granted assistant professor emeritus status.