The
American Association of Port Authorities and Lamar University have renewed their agreement to deliver advanced education to future port industry leaders through LU’s fully online
Master of Science in Port and Terminal Management. The agreement updates and renews the Memorandum of Understanding initially entered in June of 2016, reflecting a shared commitment in the preparation of port and marine terminal industry leaders for future challenges and opportunities.
Headquartered in Washington D.C., the APA is the unified voice of the seaport industry in the Americas, representing more than 130 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. The AAPA’s Professional Development Board, chaired by Dr. Noel Hacegaba, deputy executive director, Port of Long Beach, led this initiative for the Association.
“Lamar University’s Center for Port Management fulfills our industry’s long-standing dream of having an academic venue to gain both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to successfully prepare the next generation of port leaders,” Hacegaba said.
AAPA President & CEO Chris Connor stated, “To meet the changing demands of the global supply chain and the recent substantial investment in U.S. infrastructure, the port industry must continually evolve. There has never been a more important time to collaborate with colleges and universities to prepare the next generation of our industry’s leaders. Lamar University’s Center and its singular advanced degree in port and terminal management is what port professionals of the future need today.”
Home to 17,000 students, Lamar University, located in Beaumont, Texas, is a member of the Texas State University System. LU’s Center for Advances in Port Management was established by the State of Texas in the fall of 2015. The CAPM is the first of three university Signature Centers, which also include the Center for Resiliency and the Center for Midstream Management and Science.
The CAPM’s primary activity and purpose is the development and delivery of advanced online education for port and marine terminal professionals. The center also sponsors industry-relevant research and continuing education. The Center’s port and terminal master’s degree is taught by LU faculty from its Industrial Engineering department and Business Administration program. Equally important is the fact that industry experts fully teach half of the 12-course curriculum as well as delivering lectures in all courses. Online delivery allows the center to source not only industry experts, but also students globally.
The CAPM has been led from its formation by Erik Stromberg who has four decades of experience in the port industry, highlighted by his nearly decade-long tenure as CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities and subsequent 10-year service as CEO of the North Carolina State Ports Authority.
Lamar University’s new President, Dr. Jaime Taylor, emphasized the Center for Port Management represents the commitment of the University to strong collaboration with industry and government, “As the first of Lamar University’s three Signature Centers, the Center for Port Management reveals the benefits of strong and effective academic and industry integration in preparing the next generation of port and marine terminal industry leaders.” President Taylor continued, “Such integration is fundamental to the success of the center’s master’s degree, and its continuing education and research programs.”
Stromberg added, “The agreement enables port professionals certified in the AAPA’s Professional Port Manager program to earn credit hours towards the completion of LU’s port and terminal master’s degree program. And, while the master’s degree is targeted to enhancing leadership opportunities for port and terminal industry professionals, we have found strong interest from those in related careers who want to enter the port and terminal industry.”