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leadership pro? le

The Change of Command Ceremony at MMA, with Maritime

Administrator Jaenichen (right) looking on in the background.

You get more done if you try to lead in a collaborative format. You lead by example; “ you try to lead with enthusiasm, and in higher education, that holds true, as well.

Image courtesy MMA

So the model of shared governance on the

MMA: the Modern Maritime Academy campus, the role that the faculty can play, is

McDonald presides over an academy that has changed sig- critical to advance the college. I’ve seen other ni? cantly over time, but also one which retains what he char- acterizes as the best of the past. On one hand, says McDonald, institutions where somebody came in with today’s student is more accountable, more technologically a command and control mindset that built savvy, and more focused. That same student, however, often more walls than anything else.

has far less real ‘street smarts.’ But, he insists, “That said; we have a student that is measured far more often with greater consequences than we were ever measured.” – RADM Francis X. McDonald, President of ”

The grueling orientation period remains, but has changed, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. over time. A ‘knowledge’ exam in addition to physical require- ments must be passed in order to make it into the regiment. collaborative format. You lead by example; you try to lead McDonald explains some of the changes by saying, “We try with enthusiasm, and in higher education, that holds true, as to be smarter about what we do – and do it with a purpose. well. So the model of shared governance on the campus, the For example, when we looked at graduating from orientation, role that the faculty can play, is critical to advance the college. making it through those ? rst two weeks, the focus of it was to

I’ve seen other institutions where somebody came in with a get that freshman class to connect as a team. The fraternity- command and control mindset that built more walls than any- style hazing that went on in the 70’s and certainly spilled over thing else.” McDonald sees his role as the lead salesperson for into the 80’s, is no longer part of the program. I’d like to say it the college, trying to anticipate what’s over the horizon, and never, ever happens, but it certainly is not part of the program. then sharing that vision or conversation with his colleagues On the other hand, the regimentation and the accountability on campus. It has been a winning formula for McDonald, for have increased tenfold.”

Gurnon before him and – for the school itself. An arguably kinder and gentler ? rst year experience is 34 Maritime Professional 4Q 2015I 34-49 Q4 MP2015.indd 34 11/18/2015 9:42:20 AM