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www.marinelink.com MN49ious aspects of the tug industry. As a professor in the SUNY program, he notes, ?The tug and tow boat indus- try is growing and there is increasing demand for individuals with deckand engine licenses who are interested in pursuing a maritime career.? But Johansson also stresses the quality of the SUNY approach to the curricu- lum.One of the hallmarks of the SUNY Maritime limited license, associate degree program is that when the stu- dents graduate and pass their licenseexams, they have had not only class- room experience, but hands on expe- rience as well. Both programs require extensive Cadet Internship and Cadet Observer requirements. These two programs, administered by the College, apply strong academic train- ing with real world hands-on applica- tions and help to prepare students for their license in a professional, indus- try-supported environment. Future plans include an expansion of theSmall Passenger Industry Offshore Supply Vessel and other Limited License areas. A student?s interaction with the Maritime College does not end with receipt of the degree and license. Aggressive career placement services allow SUNY Maritime Graduates to find employment at leading maritime firms such as K Sea in New York City and Penn Maritime in Philadelphia. The Maritime College?s Career Placement office has a consistently strong record of full placement for graduates within three months after graduation.THELEADINGEDGEOFTHE LEARNINGCURVE ?Many maritime organizations and companies, both large and small have been excellent partners, working with us to tell us what the needs of theindustry are, but also what we can do to continue to provide our students with an education that will prepare them to meet the challenges andopportunities that lie ahead,? noted Captain Fink. As Chair of the SUNY Maritime College Professional Education and Training Department, he ought to know. No other state maritime academy produced more licensed mariners than SUNY thispast year. Beyond this, nobody else produces a more diverse and focused mix of those mariners.At SUNY Maritime College, the numbers, the curriculum and theinnovative approach speak volumes. The oldest and largest maritime acad-emy in the nation continues toevolve, shaping itself to meet industry demands and the global waterfront that changes daily. Based on that, change appears to be the norm formaritime education today. And, just look who is at the leading edge of thelearning curve. MN#3 (32-49):MN 2011 Layouts 3/2/2012 10:31 AM Page 49