Governance and Oversight

Governance

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is operated by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), one of the modal agencies of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The Maritime Administration has a general oversight role for the civilian maritime industry, comparable to the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in overseeing the civilian aviation industry. 

Instead, the day-to-day management of the institution is the responsibility of the Superintendent (equivalent to the title of "college president"), who manages the rest of the Academy's Leadership Team.   All staff -- whether senior leaders or lower level officers -- receive management guidance through strategic plans, policy statements, instructions, laws and regulations promulgated by the Academy, MARAD and DOT.  Together, these individuals comprise the Academy's senior staff, who are assisted by capable office personnel in the daily operation of the institution

Oversight

In addition to its leadership structure, the Academy has a number of general oversight and advisory boards that serve to advise the Superintendent, the Maritime Administrator, the Secretary, and Congress.  These entities, outlined in detail below, meet at the Academy as required, and provide valuable guidance to shape the Academy's role of service to the nation.  In addition to these oversight and advisory organizations, the Academy works closely with the United States Coast Guard, in the administration of the licensed-based portions of the curriculum.  The Academy's general education program is accredited by the Middle-States Association of Colleges and Schools, an affiliate of the Council on Higher Education, while the Marine Engineering Systems and Shipyard Management programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).  The Academy was last accredited by Middle States in 2006, and by ABET in 2005.

Board of Visitors
Public Law 453, approved by the 96th Congress on October 15, 1980, provides for an annual inspection of the Academy by Congress through a Board of Visitors of nine members who are appointed in January of each year. The board consists of one senator appointed by the Vice President; two senators appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House; three members of the House of Representatives appointed jointly by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and by the chairman of the House Committee on National Security. 

Advisory Board
Public Law 453 also establishes an Advisory Board consisting of not more than seven persons of distinction in education and other fields relating to the purposes of the Academy who serve without pay. The members of the Board visit the Academy at least once during the academic year at the call of the chairman. The board’s purpose is to examine the course of instruction and the management of the Academy and advise the maritime administrator and the superintendent of their findings