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Organization

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Academy personnel and facilities are organized into the rigorous and supportive learning environment needed by cadets for their intellectual, professional, physical, and values-based development. The Academic Division, Cadet Division, and Athletics Division develop and provide the core programs that define those functions and activities needed to execute the Academy’s mission and achieve the institution’s strategic goals. Coast Guard Headquarters, the Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors, the Superintendent’s Office, Admissions, Mission Support, and Health Services all collaborate to provide critical direction and support. These organizations and their resources form an Academy community that provides a rich and rewarding learning experience.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (BOT) has cognizance of all programs at the Coast Guard Academy. The BOT provides guidance and advice to the Superintendent and the chain of command up to the Commandant of the Coast Guard in the following areas:

  • Review and validate the Academy’s vision, mission statements and strategic plan.

  • Provide general oversight and advice on issues associated with the well-being and safety of the faculty, students, and staff.

  • Review, validate, prioritize, and advocate resource needs.

  • Ensure that good management practices are followed.

  • Ensure proper oversight of and participation in Coast Guard Academy institutional, programmatic, and course-level accreditation evaluations.

  • Ensure that the Academy’s academic, professional, and training curricula consist with and support the Commandant’s Strategic Guidance for the Coast Guard Academy.

  • Provide general oversight and advice on issues associated with strategy and alignment, as well as providing guidance to and acting as a sounding board for the Superintendent.

  • Coordinate development efforts with the Coast Guard Foundation, the Alumni Association, and the Board of Visitors.

  • Advocate for the Academy.

Board of Visitors

The Academy has a legislatively established Board of Visitors (BOV) that provides congressional oversight of the Academy which facilitates the Academy’s relationship with key policymakers. The BOV is a 16-member board with 10 members coming from Congress and 6 at-large members designated by the President.

Academic Division

Provost and Chief Academic Officer: Dr. Amy Donahue

Vice Provost for Academic Administration: CAPT Anna Hickey

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs: Dr. Eric Page

Vice Provost for Research: CAPT Greg Hall

The Academic Division, headed by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, consists of the School of Engineering and Cyber Systems; the School of Science, Mathematics, and the Humanities; the School of Leadership and Management; the Office of Student Success and Faculty Development; and the Office of Scholarship, Research, and Innovation. The Division offers nine academic majors: Civil Engineering, Cyber Systems, Electrical Engineering, Government, Management, Marine and Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and Operations Research and Data Analytics. Offices and academic departments are staffed through the appointment of permanent and time-limited civilian, permanent military, and rotating military faculty.

The Academic Division is responsible for providing a four-year academic program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Coast Guard. The curriculum is constantly reviewed to ensure that it meets the needs of the Service; therefore, the pattern and content of the courses described in this catalog may be revised at any time without prior notice.

The mission of the Academic Division is to develop the intellectual abilities and nurture the attitudes and aptitudes that will produce officers who are intellectually curious and have a life-long desire for continuous self-improvement, with a commitment to service and ethical practice. The Division accomplishes this in several ways.

  • Challenging classroom and laboratory experiences that promote intellectual growth.

  • Offers a curriculum that fosters the achievement of Coast Guard Academy Shared Learning Outcomes by providing a strong background in science and technology, a sound foundation in the liberal arts, and an in-depth concentration in a major field of study of value to the Coast Guard.

  • Presents a curriculum that positions our students for acceptance into the finest graduate schools.

  • Provides intellectual resources through partnerships responsive to the Commandant’s direction.

Governance

Provost’s Council

The Provost’s Council comprises the leaders of the Academic Division. The purpose of the Provost’s Council as a body is to advance the educational and scholarly missions of the Academy through strategic thinking, action planning, communication, and collaboration. As one of several mechanisms of shared governance, the Provost’s Council provides input, feedback, advice, and recommendations to the Provost to inform strategy, plans, and decisions related to the full range of Academic missions and activities, and particularly in support of faculty and student success. As the leadership of the Academic Division, the Provost’s Council oversees activities as directed by the Provost, including actions related to the planning, coordination, and evaluation of academic programs; support of student recruitment, retention, learning, and success; facilitation of advising and graduation procedures; selection, retention, promotion, and development of faculty and academic staff; planning and management of resources and facilities; and academic policies and procedures. Individual Council members serve as key advisors to the Provost on strategic matters, oversee their respective areas of responsibility, enable collaboration and coordination amongst academic units, and facilitate communication between the faculty and the Provost.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is a representative body of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s faculty, and includes civilian, permanent military, and rotating military faculty members from all three schools and Health and Physical Education. It is deliberative in nature, designed to surface and address interests, opportunities, and concerns through collaborative engagement within the faculty and between the faculty, other Divisions, and Academy leaders. The Senate advises the Provost on academic matters. Such matters may include, but are not limited to, Academic Division policies and procedures, equity goals and objectives, expectations with respect to critical job elements, searches and assignments in the Academic Division, human resource practices, capital and resource allocation strategies, and enrollment management approaches. The Senate’s core mission is to ensure the effectiveness of the Academy’s academic programs, including stewardship of the Academy’s educational curriculum, teaching, and learning practices.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee’s primary responsibility is to provide advice on curricular issues to the Provost and the Provost’s Council. The Committee reviews and comments on the proposed changes to courses and also discusses and promotes the curricular philosophy and structure of the Coast Guard Academy.

4/c Course Coordinators Committee

The 4/c Course Coordinators Committee is primarily concerned with the academic success of fourth-class cadets during their first year at the Academy. The committee is composed of all course coordinators of courses whose primary enrollment are 4/c cadets, as well as representatives from the Writing Center, the Library, Academic Support Services, and Cadet Division

Cadet Division

Commandant of Cadets: CAPT Edward Hernaez

Assistant Commandant of Cadets: CDR Mike Mastriani

The Cadet Division is responsible for directing, supporting, and managing the military and professional programs for the Corps of Cadets. The Cadet Division develops ethical leaders and lifelong learners while producing professional career military officers for the U.S. Coast Guard. Fundamental to their development, and ingrained in all Cadet Division activities, are the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.

The Commandant of Cadets is an active-duty Coast Guard Captain (O-6) who fulfills the duties of the Cadet Division Chief, somewhat equivalent to a “Dean of Students.” The Commandant of Cadets directly oversees a full-time staff of approximately 100 people. The Commandant of Cadets is located in Chase Hall: the four annexes, 450 room building that serves as the home for the Corps of Cadets.

The Cadet Division is organized into three branches:

  • The Cadet Branch is responsible for the execution of the Leadership Development Program and the associated Chase Hall Leadership Development Practicum. This is accomplished through the direct oversight and mentorship of the Company Officers and Company Chiefs, professional military members who instruct the Corps of Cadets about the targeted leadership competencies for each class.

  • The Cadet Training and Operations Branch is responsible for the entire spectrum of training delivered to the Corps of Cadets across the 200-week course of instruction, including summer training assignments, internships, and the cadre summer experience. The Cadet Training and Operations Branch is comprised of Cadet Training, Career Development, Cadet Administration, and Weapons Training. It also serves as liaison to the fleet and to Coast Guard Cutter EAGLE, the Academy’s 295-foot sail training vessel.

  • The Waterfront, Seamanship and Sailing Branch is located at the Academy waterfront on the Thames River. It is comprised of the Sail Training Section and the Waterfront Section and is responsible for, or the support of, all Academy-conducted sail and seamanship training for the Corps of Cadets, and the coaching/management of the competitive inter-collegiate and offshore sailing program. The branch maintains over 130 boats of eight different classes that are used in the various programs, sports, and courses. It also identifies and prioritizes work projects that affect the piers and buildings along the waterfront.

Athletics Division

Athletic Director: Dr. Daniel Rose

Associate Athletic Director: Ms. Donna Koczajowski

Many factors contribute to the development of leaders of character. In addition to the Coast Guard Academy’s emphasis on the intellectual and professional development of cadets, there is a high value placed upon each cadet’s physical development and wellness. This is accomplished through classes in the Health and Physical Education Department, athletics competition during the daily sports period, and an institutional commitment to physical fitness.

The physical education program emphasizes professional competencies and lifetime fitness and wellness. The intercollegiate sports program is one of the broadest in NCAA Division III athletics, with twelve men’s sports, ten women’s sports, and three coeducational varsity sports. The intercompany and club sports program is very active, and cadet driven. All cadets are required to participate in these activities, which provide multiple opportunities for personal and professional development. Oversight of the Athletic Division is provided by the Director of Athletics.