Maritime College Family,

What an action-packed week across campus! From the Blood Drive and Midnight Run, to the JCK Foundation mental wellness seminars, El Far Memorial Ceremony, and celebration of World Maritime Day, our week was filled with service, remembrance, wellness, and maritime pride.

Then we capped it off on Saturday with the largest Open House we have had in the last 10 years. We welcomed 440 prospective students and family members to campus and showed them firsthand why SUNY Maritime College is the Peninsula of Opportunity and the Engine of Upward Mobility. Thank you to everyone who came out, stepped up, and helped showcase what makes Maritime so special. This is the Maritime College Family at its best! Additional highlights and updates from around campus:

Career Fair. Attention Students, October 6-7 from 12:00-4:00 PM in the gym, employers are coming to campus to recruit you! This is a great opportunity to network, find employment, and internships. Don’t miss the opportunity. Professional attire is required (the uniform for Regimental Cadets is Salt and Peppers). Professional profile photos will be offered to students, faculty and staff. Contact Michelle Reina for more details or see the attached list of companies presenting.

Hispanic Heritage Month. The Cultural Club and Chartwells will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, October 8 on the Mess Deck during lunch, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Chartwells will have a delicious menu, and the Cultural Club will provide Music and Hispanic heritage information.

Nautical Institute. The Nautical Institute will be hosting two conferences this week on campus. Monday and Tuesday is the 2026 Biennial USA Conference where the theme is "Building the Mariner of Tomorrow". Wednesday and Thursday is the 6^th Global Dynamic Positioning and Offshore Energy Conference "Shaping the Future of Dynamic Positioning: Innovation, Competence and Collaboration." Both will be held in the MAC MPR.

Residence Hall Naming. Be part of history! The Student Government Association (SGA) is leading a campus-wide solicitation of name suggestions for the traditional/GH residence hall. The process will engage the Maritime College community in identifying and vetting naming options that reflect the spirit, history, and future of Maritime College. SGA will present the options to the Cabinet, which will provide a final recommendation to the College Council for consideration and approval. Submit your nomination by close of business today, October 5 (in the student affairs initiative tab, select “new dorm naming recommendation” in the drop-down).

Title IX and Title VI Responsible Employee Training. All employees are required to complete 2026-2027 SUNY Employee Title IX and Title VI Training by October 31, 2026. The 20–25 minute training encourages reflection on how our actions contribute to an inclusive community, reinforces expectations for respectful engagement, and shares information about resources available if concerns arise. The training is a mandatory component of our compliance and fulfills the UUP Collective Bargaining Agreement. Upon completion, you will be designated as a responsible employee who is required to report perceived discrimination or harassment to the appropriate office on campus. The training is in Brightspace under My Courses/Professional Development. Access the training here.

Student Success Center (SSC). Dean Grohman is developing a cross-campus steering group to begin shaping the programs, services, and student supports that will be housed in the SSC, which will be based on the feedback provided through the Feedback Form over the past 5 months. The group will bring together representatives from across campus to identify priorities and move the SSC from concept to implementation this year. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Dean Adam Grohman.

2026 Global Business & Transportation Conference. Mark your calendars, GBAT will host its annual conference on Thursday, October 29, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the Maritime Academic Center. The conference will bring together maritime industry leaders, faculty, and students to examine "Geopolitical Tensions and Maritime Industry Impacts." The conference will feature panels on maritime risk and conflict, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and strategic responses by U.S. maritime businesses.

Privateers Boat Ride to USMMA King's Point. Take a ride to Kings Point on the Sea Lab 41 to cheer on the Privateers during three upcoming competitions at Kings Point: Women’s Volleyball on October 6, and Women’s and Men’s Soccer on October 16. Help strengthen school spirit while enjoying a unique experience only Maritime can provide. Hourly return trips available until 30 minutes after each game and space provided on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited seating. Secure your spot here.

STEAM Day. We will open the campus to local 6th-11th grade students for our Fall STEAM Day on Saturday, October 17th. Registration begins at 9:30 AM; programming starts at 10:00 AM and runs through 1:30 PM. If you interested in volunteering your time to host a session or help students navigate campus, please contact Katie Donahue.

Presidents Council on Campus Climate and Culture (PC4). PC4 meets periodically throughout the Academic Year charged to discuss ways and provide advice on how to better foster a campus environment that is open, safe, respectful and inclusive for all. the members are Tony DiPiazza, Stacy Evans, Mike Sobkow, Dr. Bob Kidd, Pat Norman, Adam Grohman, Lu Plaisance, Kieran Barrett, Justin Manjares, Rainer Santos Nunez, and Robert Wieczorek. Attached is the charter for the Council. We have two unfilled student spots on the Council. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Plaisance.

Digital IDs. The Digital ID is here! To get started, download the TouchNet 360u app on our website and follow the setup instructions. Once activated, your Digital ID can be used anywhere your Maritime ID is accepted and will replace the physical card. Over the coming months, we will transition away from physical ID cards as the Digital ID becomes our standard campus credential. Download your Digital ID today and make the switch to a faster, more convenient way to access campus services.

New Student Code of Conduct. The 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct is available.

APL Scholarship. APL is offering students at the State Maritime Academies a $25,000 one-year scholarship for eligible educational expenses for Fall 2027. Juniors and seniors in good standing enrolled in an unlimited-tonnage Deck or Engine license program, with strong academics, leadership, faculty recommendations, and a commitment to sailing commercially as a U.S. Merchant Mariner. Active-duty military commissioning students are not eligible; Navy Reserve SSO participation is permitted. Complete scholarship packages must be submitted directly to Klaus Luhta and Luc Saintgenies no later than October 31.

Scholarship Form Scholarship Rules

Athletics Hall of Fame. Our Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner will be held October 22 at 6:00 PM in the MAC MPR as a kick-off to homecoming. Register for the event here.

Athletics. It was an action-packed week for our teams! Sailing took first place at the Tiger’s Women’s Open, Women’s Volleyball swept Purchase in straight sets, and Hockey opened the season with a late third-period comeback win over St. John’s. At the Queensborough Invitational, Chase Miller captured the Men’s Individual Title, helping the men’s team to a seventh-place finish, while the women finished eighth. Men’s Football returns home this Saturday against KP! Check out the latest results and full schedule for the upcoming week on the website.

Please join me in welcoming aboard our new teammates: Bethann Burke, Director of Athletics; Wilhemina Middleton, Senior Admissions Operations Coordinator; Leonidas Manoussos, Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach; Justin Song, Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach; Dennis Franco, Adjunct Lecturer Humanities; Noel Melliza, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations; Eric Witt, Battalion Officer; Robertson Ramos Flores, Instructional Support Assistant Science; and Alyssa Medina, Waterfront Staff Assistant.

With Great Respect,
John