AGB Search Tapped by Maine Maritime Academy to Find New President 

October 22, 2021 – Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been enlisted to find the next president of the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA). Leading the search are Nancy M. Targett, executive search consultant, and Concetta M. Stewart, principal, executive search consultant.

The president will be expected to work collaboratively with stakeholders to imagine the future of maritime education for MMA and steer the institution through anticipated academic and industry paradigm shifts as well as changes in societal and cultural norms. “The new president will provide dynamic leadership, that ensures MMA maintains its reputation as a leader and innovator in modern maritime education; establishing institutional priorities and working to diversify the MMA funding portfolio,” said AGB Search. “The president will build alliances with government, industry, research, academic and alumni partners to develop opportunities that position Maine Maritime Academy at the forefront of maritime learning, training and infrastructure further enhancing student success and institutional support.”

Candidates must have demonstrated a collaborative leadership style in unifying diverse constituencies around a vision for the institution and show an established track record as a visionary and strategic thinker who understanding both the breadth and dynamic nature of the maritime sector, said the search firm. Prospects should also have an entrepreneurial approach to growing internal and external opportunities and relationships that will enhance institutional position and resources through government, industry, research and academic partnerships

Advancing Fundraising

The ability to navigate complex relationships at federal and state levels and connect with leadership in the maritime industry is critical. Also required is experience in resource development and a willingness to enthusiastically advance fundraising goals. The successful candidate must have a doctorate or appropriate terminal degree from an accredited institution or similar and significant, high-level experience in industry, military or the government.

The Maine Marine Academy is a co-educational career-oriented college of engineering, management, science and transportation with 950 undergraduate and graduate students and 300 faculty and staff. The academy is located in the coastal town of Castine, ME. It was established by the 90th Maine Legislature in 1941 and is one of six non-federal maritime training colleges in the U.S. MMA ranks among the top 10 in the nation for student return on investment and is a highly rated leader in education for maritime and other marine-related fields. MMA is uniquely positioned to prepare students to enter a wide range of sea- and land-based careers in systems engineering, marine engineering, international logistics, marine transportation, power engineering and ocean science. Depending upon the degree program chosen, students can complete the requirements for four U.S. Coast Guard licenses and two State of Maine licenses. Experiential learning is emphasized, and students benefit from sophisticated laboratories and facilities.

Serving Universities

AGB Search conducts searches for college and university presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, university system heads, and CEOs of coordinating boards and related foundations. The firm was founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010.

Dr. Targett joined AGB Search in 2018, bringing with her executive search experience at the dean, provost, and presidential levels. Her work is informed by more than 34 years of executive service in higher education. Dr. Targett is an ocean scientist who brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work and has been a change agent focused on positioning institutions for success in a dynamic academic landscape. She has served as dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment; director of the Delaware Sea Grant College Program; and president of the University of Delaware. Most recently, she served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of New Hampshire.

Dr. Stewart recently joined AGB Search as a principal, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education with particular expertise in academic affairs, program development, the fine arts, and technology and communications.  Prior to joining AGB Search, Dr. Stewart spent several years at another prominent executive search firm assisting with senior-level searches in higher education. During her career in higher education, Dr. Stewart has served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY; dean of the School of Art and Design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY; and as dean of the School of Communications and Theater at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Related: AGB Search Selected by University of North Dakota to Find Provost

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media