Great Lakes Maritime Academy

Great Lakes Maritime Academy is a public university located in Traverse City, Michigan, offering programs in maritime transportation and related fields, with affiliations to Northwestern Michigan College and the United States Coast Guard. The academy has a strong connection to the Great Lakes region, with partnerships with organizations such as the Lake Carriers' Association and the United States Merchant Marine. The academy's programs are designed to meet the needs of the maritime industry, with input from companies like Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.. The academy is also a member of the International Association of Maritime Universities.

● History

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy was established in 1969, with the goal of providing training and education to individuals pursuing careers in the maritime industry, including United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. The academy has a long history of cooperation with organizations such as the American Maritime Partnership and the Maritime Administration, and has graduated many students who have gone on to work for companies like Maersk Line and Evergreen Marine Corp.. The academy has also been involved in various maritime research projects, including studies on ballast water management and invasive species prevention, in collaboration with institutions like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The academy's history is also closely tied to the Great Lakes region, with many graduates going on to work for companies like ArcelorMittal and U.S. Steel.

● Campus and Facilities

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan, with access to facilities such as the Grand Traverse Bay and the Boardman River. The academy has a fleet of training vessels, including the T/S State of Michigan, which is used for hands-on training and education, and is equipped with Simrad navigation equipment and Furuno radar systems. The academy also has partnerships with other institutions, such as the United States Naval Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and has exchange programs with universities like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. The campus is also home to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail, which showcases the region's rich maritime history, with exhibits on shipwrecks and lighthouses, and features artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress.

● Academics

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy offers a range of academic programs, including degrees in maritime transportation, marine engineering, and marine technology, with courses taught by faculty from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology. The academy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and has articulation agreements with universities like the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The academy's programs are designed to meet the needs of the maritime industry, with input from companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron Corporation, and include coursework in subjects like navigation, ship handling, and marine safety, with guest lectures from experts like Admiral Thad Allen and Captain Richard Phillips. The academy also offers online courses and professional development programs, in partnership with organizations like the National Maritime Education Council and the Maritime Trades Department.

● Training and Certification

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy offers a range of training and certification programs, including United States Coast Guard-approved courses in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection, with training equipment from companies like Kongsberg Gruppen and Wärtsilä. The academy is also a Federal Aviation Administration-approved training provider, and offers courses in aviation and aeronautics, with partnerships with companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The academy's training programs are designed to meet the needs of the maritime industry, with input from companies like Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and include hands-on training on vessels like the T/S State of Michigan and the S/S Badger. The academy also offers simulation-based training programs, using equipment from companies like Transas and VSTEP Simulation, and has partnerships with institutions like the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Organization.

● Notable Alumni

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy has a strong network of notable alumni, including Captain James Cook, who graduated from the academy's maritime transportation program and went on to work for companies like Maersk Line and Evergreen Marine Corp., and Admiral Michael Rogers, who graduated from the academy's marine engineering program and went on to serve in the United States Navy. Other notable alumni include Captain Mark Kelly, who graduated from the academy's marine technology program and went on to work for companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and Rear Admiral Sandra Stosz, who graduated from the academy's maritime safety program and went on to serve in the United States Coast Guard. The academy's alumni have gone on to work for a range of companies and organizations, including ExxonMobil, Chevron Corporation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and have been involved in various maritime research projects, including studies on ballast water management and invasive species prevention.

Category:Maritime academies