President's Watch

A Generational Transformation

Craig Johnson picture

MMA PRESIDENT
Craig Johnson ’91

Dear members of the Maine Maritime Academy community,

2026 promises to be a landmark year in the Academy’s storied history, particularly with the arrival of State of Maine, our first purpose-built training vessel. This new ship will ensure that the Academy is able to continue to provide the highest quality maritime training in the nation, at a time when the demand for well-trained mariners has never been greater.

The revitalization of the waterfront campus remains on schedule, with the first phase of pier construction set for completion this summer. The new pier will more than double our available dock 50 years. The pier upgrade is essential not only to accommodate the new training vessel, but also for the safety of our staff and students who operate and train aboard our fleet of more than 70 vessels.

We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of the William M. Wood Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., which recently awarded the Academy a grant of $1 million to support the construction of the pier. For more than a decade, the Foundation has played a vital role in advancing our mission by establishing the William M. Wood Foundation, Bank of America, N.A. Endowed and Annual Scholarships, contributing to the construction of the ABS Center for Engineering and Applied Research, and providing operating support for the schooner Bowdoin.

The much-needed renovation of Curtis Hall is also well underway, progressing on schedule and within budget. The upgrades to the residence hall will dramatically improve the quality of life for students. Project completion is expected in the summer of 2027.

These important capital projects taking place on campus, totaling nearly $150M, not only benefit the Academy, but also the state economy. They have a significant multiplier effect conservatively totaling more than $400M, with the creation of nearly 400 jobs.

In October, we proudly opened our Brunswick facility, the Maritime Industrial Workforce Training Center, positioning the Academy to meet the increasing demand for skilled industrial labor, particularly within the maritime sector. I encourage you to read more about this exciting milestone in this issue of Mariner.

In November, the Board of Trustees approved the Academy’s new strategic plan, which identifies financial stability, enrollment, and retention as critical institutional priorities. This plan provides a framework for strengthening the Academy’s long-term fiscal health while enhancing student experience. The transformational infrastructure projects underway across campus are essential to achieving these goals, ensuring that Maine Maritime Academy continues to attract and retain exceptional students while building a sustainable financial foundation.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Senator Nicole Grohoski, who is presenting LD 681, a bill with bipartisan support that would bring funding for the Academy in line with other state institutions. Senator Grohoski has been a tireless advocate for Maine Maritime Academy, and I am deeply appreciative of her leadership. I would also like to thank Representative Steven Foster ’78, one of our distinguished alumni, for co-sponsoring the bill and his dedicated efforts on our behalf.

As we look ahead, we are preparing to launch the most ambitious capital campaign in the Academy’s history in support of our strategic priorities. We are grateful for your continued support and commitment to Maine Maritime Academy. Together, we are ensuring that the Academy remains a national leader in maritime education for decades to come.

Fondly,

Craig Johnson

Craig Johnson ’91 RADM
President