Middle States Commission On Higher Education News

U.S. Maritime Adminstrator Mark Buzby issues statement on ‘full accreditation’ from third party auditors. The U.S. Maritime Administrator last week issued a statement announcing full accreditation of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The news brings (at least part of) the drama being experienced by the nation’s only federal maritime academy to an end. The school had been found to be delinquent in at least 5 of 14 necessary benchmarks last year. In a prepared statement, Buzby announced, “I learned today that my alma mater – Kings Point - has once again received full accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.), announced on Friday, September 6, 2013, that she will step down shortly after the completion of the Fall semester. Admiral Carpenter has served as President since August 31, 2011, and has decided to step down in order to have more time for family and to pursue both personal and professional priorities and passions. SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher will work with the College to form a search committee and will ensure leadership at the campus continues uninterrupted.

USMMA Master of Marine Engineering Program Completes its 6th Year. The United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Master of Science in Marine Engineering (MMarE) program is moving ahead and is currently completing its 6th year of operation. In addition, the MMarE program, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, was recently ranked 12th in “Student Engagement & Accreditation” in the U.S. News 2012 Top Online Education Program Rankings for Graduate Programs in Engineering.