Massachusetts Maritime Academy

As part of the academy's Voyage Plan, the academy will "explore and build retention efforts to close the opportunity gap among the demographics of the Equity Agenda."

A September 2022 diversity and inclusion family orientation presentation from the Office of Intercultural Engagement references a newly created department - the Division of Enrollment Management, Equity, and Inclusion - to work with the Office of Admissions to "promote a more inclusive academy."

The academy's Affirmative Action Policy Statement reads in part as follows: "The State Universities are committed to a policy of non-discrimination, equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action. The State Universities are dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that the academy is "situated for a greater impact on the areas of recruiting and retaining the Academy’s most diverse student population in its history," and that it would "[s]upport equitable access, opportunity, and success for all students by creating a pathway for social mobility."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that "[t]hrough the adoption of an institutional Strategic Racial Equity Plan, the Academy embraces diversity and inclusivity as a critical component of higher education" and that it is "committed to increasing diversity within our campus community."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "[e]nhance recruitment & retention of women and students of color/ALANA students through a review of admission recruitment processes by the Chief Diversity Officer...with [the] goal to develop new strategies for recruitment of students of color and women."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that the "Advancement Division particularly focuses on the creation of scholarships and maintenance of an equitable process for their award" and "gives preference to students who are first-generation college students, hail from Gateway Cities, or identify as persons of color."

In September 2022, a parent and family orientation program included information on Equity and Inclusion support programs.

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "Create a sense of belonging" through cultural competency trainings and that the academy would "[o]ffer two DEI-related trainings/opportunities per semester for faculty, administrators, and staff."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "[o]ffer a DEI online module, 'Get Inclusive,' as well as Title IX training to all incoming students before they arrive for Orientation."

One curricular objective of the academy is Civic and Global Learning, which "reflects the knowledge, skills, values, and abilities necessary for participation in civic and democratic life. It includes awareness, understanding, and appreciation of social and political values as well as respect for diversity and inclusion."

In the 2022-2023 Academy Catalog, Massachusetts Maritime Academy states that the Energy Systems Engineering program has an additional learning outcome which is the “ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.”

In the 2022-2023 Academy Catalog, Massachusetts Maritime Academy states that MMA Athletics “supports the mission of the Academy by providing all student-athletes with an equal opportunity to enhance and develop values that foster leadership, sportsmanship, inclusion, and teamwork.”

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "[c]ontinue support for the General Education Task Force...examining our existing core curriculum with the goal of curricular development in social justice, leadership, and cultural competence, while ensuring students’ preparedness for their majors."

The academy provides a Bias Incident Reporting Form and states that "[a]ll members of the MMA Community who experience or witness a bias incident on campus should immediately report the incident." 

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "Ensure that HR personnel and hiring committees are trained on equity-minded practices for screening, interviewing, and onboarding new hires."

In February 2022, MMA hosted the 49th annual conference for Tall Ships America, an "anti-racist organization working diligently to address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the tall ship fleet."

The Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion (launched Fall 2023) at Massachusetts Maritime "[promotes] Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through programs, events and student support initiatives."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "[c]ontinue to offer faculty travel in support of professional development ($15,000) with a focus on enhancing inclusive, anti-racist, and culturally responsive curriculum development, and teaching pedagogies." Additionally the academy would "[p]romote, foster and recognize faculty and staff who align with campus groups, programming, and curriculum development that prioritize racial equity, justice and equity-mindedness."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that it would "[i]mplement best practices for inclusive community policing through ongoing training and professional development via Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (MACLEA)."

The academy has a goal to "advance a common agenda for Inclusive Excellence that aligns institutional strategies with statewide initiatives to transform diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of the institution." The academy goes on to state that "the focus areas of this common agenda include recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students of color, a climate of inclusion, enhanced community engagement, and review of university infrastructure."

The academy tweeted, "Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in a training called 'The Evolution of #DEI and #HigherEducation.'"

As part of the academy's Voyage Plan, the academy will "re-energize the President’s Task Force for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." Additionally, "the Task Force will make recommendations based on the data collected for the 2021 Climate Survey."

As part of the academy's Voyage Plan, the academy will "increase programming and initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness and intercultural competence."

As part of the academy's Voyage Plan, the academy will "develop an internal equity audit by reviewing all institutional policies and procedures through the equity lens and make recommendations."

The academy said, "The President's Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion serves the Academy by: Identifying strategies/activities in support of the success of all students and employees by, on an ongoing basis, 1) generating and reviewing relevant institutional data; 2) collecting and reviewing information on institutional best practices, and 3) identifying and studying relevant organizational reports and literature; Advocating issues of diversity for faculty, staff, and students; Reviewing policies and procedures as they pertain to the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff, and student body; Providing and coordinating support services to ensure all faculty, staff, and students are heard and are part of an inclusive environment; Monitoring enacted strategies/activities for progress in meeting desired outcomes."

The academy said, "The Task Force seeks to increase awareness of diversity and maintain an inclusive environment through: Sponsoring of programming for all members of the Academy; Creating professional development opportunities; Recognizing faculty and staff that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity; Publicizing information about diversity-related events throughout the campus; Encouraging a wide spectrum of diversity within the Academy."

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that beginning in Fall 2024, the academy would "Increase the number of DEI student officers by assigning a Diversity and Inclusion Officer to each Company (sub-battalion level; one for each of seven Companies).

The academy holds "Open Talk" forums titled, "Real Talk." The academy says, "The goal is to discuss current events and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society."

The academy created the "President's Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" in order to promote diversity and inclusion through planning.

The academy has an Office of Intercultural Engagement which seeks to “provide faculty, staff, and students with opportunities to support and embrace the intersections of culture and identity to create a community that is inclusive to all populations at the Academy.”

The academy states on its website that, “Through the vision and practice of inclusive excellence, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) calls for higher education to address diversity, inclusion, and equity as critical to the well-being of democratic culture. Making excellence inclusive is thus an active process through which colleges and universities achieve excellence in learning, teaching, student development, institutional functioning, and engagement in local and global communities. Likewise, enhancing inclusive excellence is directly in line with the objectives of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Equity Agenda. Inclusive excellence must become a priority in all aspects of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.”

As part of the academy's Voyage Plan, "enhancing inclusive excellence is directly in line with the objectives of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Equity Agenda." Furthermore, "inclusive excellence must become a priority in all aspects of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy."

The Office of Intercultural Engagement stated, "In striving for social justice, it is essential that we promote unity, equity, and inclusion in our effort to denounce racism and every form of discrimination in our society." The Office goes on to say, "Our efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across our campus community are supported by various roles and functions."

Massachusetts Maritime Academy has a Speaker Series which is offered by the Office of Intercultural Engagement. One of the talks was held on November 9, 2021 with the headline, “Claudia A Fox Tree, M.Ed (Arawak) Anti-Racism from the Indigenous Perspective: Implicit Bias and Stereotypes.”

MMA's 2023-2028 Special Mission Plan states that the academy "[s]upport[s] the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Strategic Plan for Racial Equity and strive[s] to achieve Inclusive Excellence."