Page 36: of Marine News Magazine (October 2021)

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Feature

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Training & Education

This class, for all groups of students, was small due to with GPAs below established thresholds, looking closely

COVID; in three of the four prior years, for example, there at participation “in educational programs heavily partici- were ? ve Black graduates. pated (in) by racially diverse students and students from

In the fall of 2020, there were 21 Black students (2.3% various socio-economic backgrounds,” Dr. Martinez said. of the total student body) among all classes. She added that this review “allows Cal Maritime to consid-

However, the total number of “Under-Represented Mi- er the potential for success of students in an environment nority” (URM) students was much higher: 343 (38%). that emphasizes hands-on learning and the development of

Retention rates are similar for all Cal Maritime students leadership skills for maritime-related careers.” meaning minority graduation is trending upwards, al- COVID-19 made virtual campus visits more com- though slowly. For 2022 to 2024 the school expects 40 mon. In some ways, virtual admissions marketing “levels

URM graduates each year. If Black students comprised the playing ? eld,” Martinez commented, because it gives 2.3% of that total (120) that means between 2-3 Black under-represented applicants the ability to “visit” and learn graduates each year. about Cal Maritime.

Maria L. Martinez, PhD is Associate VP for Enrollment

Management at Cal Maritime. She was asked to summarize Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) the school’s recruitment efforts, eventually to reach a student Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) is in Buz- body that re? ects overall racial and ethnic demographics. zards Bay. Student enrollment is 1,451 for 2022-2025.

Martinez said that California state universities, includ- (See chart for a more complete breakout.) In 2020, 13% ing Cal Maritime, use a systemwide initiative focused on of students were female.

URM students. COVID interrupted the use of SAT and Michael Ortiz M.Ed. is Dean of Enrollment Management,

ACT test scores. Cal Maritime, along with the other 22 Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Of? cer at Mass Mar- state universities, adopted a “Multi-Factor Admission Sup- itime. Ortiz leads a new division established in June 2021 by plemental Criteria.” This expands the review of students MMA president Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy 36 | MN October 2021