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The increasingly diverse face of the Massachusetts

Maritime Academy shines through in many ways.

Image courtesy MMA

The plan is to grow from about 12% gender diversity to 20%, and currently ? oating at about 8% with students of color, the “ plan is to grow to 15%,” McDonald says, conceding, “And, there are challenges with both of those, of course. – RADM Francis X. McDonald, ”

President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy there are a lot of reasons not to do it that way. You’re looking

Charting a Different Course Line

Having played a role in the building of a bigger and better then at retention rates changing, you’re looking at graduation campus in the twenty years that preceded his appointment to rates changing, you’re looking at people who might be com- the President’s job, McDonald also knows that if there was ing in sub-standard who then take out loans to make it happen, one thing that resonated with the people who were choosing who then don’t graduate, are saddled with loans, and you’re the school’s next chief executive, then the subject of diversity looking at starting to change the product coming out the other was that hot button issue. Indeed, it was a central plank of side. So we have no intention on pursuing that method. What

McDonald’s ‘pitch’ to the board as he applied for the job. Do- we’re trying to do is to go after, create and motivate a quali? ed ing that and also maintaining academic standards is, however, diverse pool.” McDonald adds for emphasis, “That’s not easy, another thing altogether. because the industry itself isn’t that diverse. This is an indus-

In terms of increasing diversity at the academy, McDonald try problem, an Academy problem, a high school problem and says, “It absolutely was a big part of what I thought was need- a middle school problem.” ed for us moving forward and part of where I’m trying to focus McDonald says that the place to start is by talking to middle a lot of energy. Certainly, there is a model in higher education school students, adding quickly, “You can see some of these that says one way to do it is to open up the standards. There programs starting like that. It’s a goal of Women on the Water. are a lot of reasons to do that: it’s probably the cheapest way It’s a goal of some of these STEM partnerships. If there’s an in- to do it. It’s probably the most convenient way to do it, but dustry initiative and they’re looking for connection and support www.maritimeprofessional.com Maritime Professional 37| | 34-49 Q4 MP2015.indd 37 11/18/2015 9:42:52 AM