Captain Francis X. McDonald named MMA President
June 11, 2015
At a meeting of the Board of Higher Education, Item # BHE 15-13: “Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) Presidential Appointment” was the single item on the agenda. In a room packed with board members, staff, representatives of MMA, and many well wishers, Ms. Nancy Hoffman, acting Chair of the BHE turned the meeting over to Mr. Wayne Mattson, Chair of the MMA Board of Trustees, who introduced Ms. Felicia Penn, Chair of the Search Committee. Ms. Penn presented a summary of the search process, beginning in December and culminating in May with the unanimous recommendation for the appointment of Captain Francis X. McDonald as the 38th President of MMA. Mr. Mattson then shared his thoughts as to why Capt. McDonald was the best choice for this position. Mr. Mattson summarized the school’s agenda, strategic plan, achievements and challenges found in detail in the Leadership Profile, and disclosed why Capt. McDonald had the Board’s unanimous support for this position. Captain McDonald then was provided an opportunity to address the Board of Higher Education. He summarized the experiences that provided him with the skill sets to assume the duties of the President. He identified competencies gained throughout his career that best prepared him for the position. He spoke of the performance of the Academy as it related to the State’s Vision Project; especially highlighting the challenges MMA faces to increase minorities and under-represented populations throughout the campus. In response to a question from a BHE board member relating to challenges of meeting diversity goals, Capt. McDonald presented specific programs he has instituted and also revealed the new relationship Massachusetts Maritime Academy has with Camp Harborview: a unique program on Long Island in Boston Harbor, providing children from Boston’s at-risk neighborhoods the opportunity to experience something they’ve never encountered before. Capt. McDonald is working to forge a long-standing relationship with beneficiaries of this program in order to expose these children to non-traditional employment opportunities and to the Academy. Capt. McDonald outlined other experiences and plans he had for the campus, enrollment, faculty development and advancement of MMA. He assured the BHE that this was not a ‘stepping-stone’ in his career, or a resume building opportunity, but rather a “resume shredding event”. Several members of the Board of Higher Education praised his grasp of the Vision Project and work to help public higher educational institutions achieve their goals, as they have been working to “make the system the system”. Following presentations and questions, Acting-Chair Hoffman brought the motion before the board, and the Board voted unanimously to appoint Capt. Francis X. McDonald President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Capt. McDonald will most likely assume his role when the seniors report to lead orientation, on August 10, 2015.
More Information
http://www.maritime.edu/index.cfm?pg=683...
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