Trained as a history professor with a master’s degree from the University of Utah and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. Cazier rose to department head, then was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship to study leadership in New York City. He returned to Utah State as vice-provost, then was offered a position as president at California State University Chico. Cazier took over as Utah State president in 1979. Cazier returned to the classroom after retiring as president in 1992, where he worked full-time for another five years.