Dr. Carl Roland Anderson began his work as an educator in 1924 with a three-year long teaching job in the rural schools of Marquette County. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1930 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and then earned a Master of Arts in History from the University of Michigan in 1931. He served the Marin City Schools as a teacher, principal, and superintendent from 1931 – 1943. In 1943, Anderson joined the Navy and spent two years in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, Anderson became an Associate Professor of History. In 1949, he became the Assistant Director of Field Services, was promoted to Director of Field Services in 1952, and became the Dean of the Division of Field Services in 1964. In 1965, Anderson was appointed to the position of Vice-President of Public Affairs and Secretary to the Board of Regents.

He served on the Washtenaw County Intermediate board of Education for nine years, three of those as Board President. Anderson has been a member of the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association for Higher Education and the Educational Advisory Council of the State Department of Education. Anderson has served as secretary of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Adult Education Association of Michigan, the chairman of the Michigan Council on Economic Education. He was also Legislative Chairman, Regional Vice-President, and treasurer of the Michigan Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Nationally he has served as President and on the Board of Directors of the Association for Field Services in Teacher Education, a member of the Board of Directors of Associated Organizations for Teacher Education, and on the Executive Committee of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. In addition, Anderson was on the Board of Directors of both the Ypsilanti Greek Theatre and the Huron Motor Inn, Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Corporation, a member of the Ypsilanti Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce, and very active in St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by both the Michigan Congress of Parents and Teachers, as well as the Association for Field Services in Teacher Education. He also has an honorary degress from both Central Michigan University and Cleary College.