Dr. Raul Calderon Jr.

MIU alumnus Raul Calderon Jr., PhD, was recently appointed as executive advisor to the International Organization of Health, Sports, and Kinesiology (IOHSK).

Raul Calderon’s career as a physical educator, health researcher, and sports and exercise professional began 40 years ago when he first arrived at MIU. He had competed in sports like basketball, soccer, and track and field since third grade, so he chose a bachelor’s degree in education and physical education, graduating in 1982. He then pursued an MA in exercise and sports science at the University of Iowa, and an MS and a PhD at MIU in health psychology.

“My overall desire has always been to help students grow,” said Dr. Calderon. “MIU gave me a broad, comprehensive point of view and I continued to build on that. I am using that model of Consciousness-Based education and higher states of consciousness and study how different techniques can develop the mind/body connection, reduce stress, and lead to a healthier, happier, and longer life.”

Dr. Calderon was an assistant professor at MIU between 2005 and 2012 in the Departments of Education and Exercise and Sports Science. He directed the MIU rock-climbing club and ran leadership and adventure sports trips with Professor Ken Daley.

For the the last seven years, Dr. Calderon has been teaching and researching at universities in South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Thailand. He has also spoken at numerous conferences on the psychological well-being and health of Asian students and the psychology of sports performance and has published the results of his research in scientific journals.

Dr. Calderon is currently on a sabbatical, visiting universities in Central America to offer his expertise and promote the IOHSK. He also plans to continue his research in Central and South America on the connections of health behaviors to psychological well-being.

Physical exercise and the practice of the Transcendental Meditation® and TM-Sidhi® programs are both integral parts of his daily routine. “It’s important to me to practice what I teach and be a role model for my students,” Dr. Calderon said.