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By Joy Vann

The Hampton Roads Maritime Industries Education Alliance (HRMIEA), which consists of the and Old Dominion 91����Ƶ, was designated a 2024 Center of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) developed the CoE program to support maritime workforce training and education at designated CoEs, including efforts of the designees to admit additional students; recruit and train faculty; expand facilities; create new maritime pathways; and award students credit for prior experience, including military service. HRMIEA is one of 32 CoEs nationwide selected for this five-year designation based on their qualification of assisting the maritime industry with training a skilled maritime workforce.

Upon the announcement of the 2024 designees, Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips said, “Our Centers of Excellence designations recognize the high standards of maritime education and training provided by these organizations.”

“This designation is another step toward ODU’s strategic vision of being a globally recognized destination for maritime enterprise,” said Elspeth McMahon, ODU’s associate vice president for maritime initiatives. “We are thrilled about our partnership with the Maritime Institute, and we will continue to lead as a top university in maritime education, research, programming and innovation.”

ODU’s annual Maritime Conference will be held on Friday, April 12 and will feature Phillips as the keynote speaker. Learn more information about the and ODU’s Maritime Initiatives.