Leadership
SUNY Maritime College was founded in 1874 as the New York Nautical School, an institution dedicated to training merchant mariners to work and live at sea. Since then, the college has expanded its focus to include educating and training men and women to pursue careers on land and at sea. Maritime College operates under a model of shared governance. The college president works closely with and is advised by his cabinet, Faculty Governance, and College Council.
President
Rear Admiral John A. Okon
Rear Admiral John A. Okon, USN (ret), is President of Maritime College. He was appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees in June 2024 and assumed the leadership post in July 2024, becoming the 12th President of the College.
President's
Cabinet
Academic and Administrative Leadership
The President's Cabinet is the strategic advisory group composed of key institutional leaders tasked with guiding the college's direction and ensuring alignment with its mission. This senior leadership team collaborates to shape policy, address critical issues, and drive initiatives that enhance the college's academic, student support, and operational excellence. Their collective insights and decision-making play a pivotal role in advancing Maritime College's mission, vision, strategic plan, and goals and responding effectively to both opportunities and challenges within the maritime education landscape.
President's Council
The President's Council at Maritime College is an advisory and operational body comprised of the President's Cabinet and additional key campus leaders. This group integrates the leadership of the President's Cabinet with other senior officials responsible for day-to-day campus operations. By fostering close coordination among these stakeholders, the Council ensures cohesive management oversight across the college. Its collaborative approach facilitates effective decision-making, improves transparency, enhances communication, and contributes to the overall success and efficiency of Maritime College.
Faculty Governance
A Council of Peers
Faculty Governance is composed of faculty members from across Maritime College’s six academic departments. Together, they review, update and approve academic policies, and discuss and advise college administrators on academic priorities.
College Council
Thought Leadership and External Perspectives
Appointed by the governor, the College Council offers the college leadership guidance and counsel from an external perspective. The council is composed of distinguished professionals who offer their broad and deep expertise to offer strategic guidance and oversight of college operations.
SUNY Maritime Foundation
Developing Private Support
The board of the not-for-profit SUNY Maritime Foundation works to encourage private support to enable the college to achieve new heights of excellence and realize its dreams for the future. These dedicated professionals work with corporations, foundations, and other organizations and individuals to help the college educate and develop the next generation of industry professionals.
Strategic Planning
Charting a Course for the Future
With input and approval from faculty, the College adopted new mission, vision, and core values statements in 2015. As the college continues to plan and adjust its course for the future, they serve as our strategic guides.
In 2016, the college embarked on a collaborative, engaging process to develop and implement a new strategic plan. The plan is currently being implemented with help from a committee of faculty,