Texas A&M University at Galveston
Administrative Officers
Col. Michael E. Fossum, USAFR (Ret.) - Chief Operating Officer, Texas A&M University at Galveston; Vice President, Texas A&M University; Superintendent, Texas A&M Maritime Academy
Dr. Debbie Thomas, Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, Texas A&M University at Galveston; Dean, College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies; Associate Provost, Texas A&M University
Dr. Antonietta Quigg - Senior Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies
Dr. Donna C. Lang - Associate Vice President for Academic Operations
Ms. Susan Hernandez Lee - Associate Vice President for Finance and Compliance Officer
Mr. Grant W. Shallenberger - Associate Vice President for Administration and Auxiliary Services
Dr. Todd Sutherland - Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Superintendent of Cadets
General Statement
Texas A&M University at Galveston, a branch campus of Texas A&M University, houses the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, selected programs of the College of Engineering and the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies offers ocean-oriented academic degrees, research, continuing education, and public service in marine science, engineering, business, transportation and liberal arts. Degrees are awarded from Texas A&M University. Ocean voyages, sailing in Galveston Bay, beachfront experiments and independent study complement the rigorous classroom experience at Texas A&M University at Galveston. In addition to its academic programs, the Texas A&M Maritime Academy offers training programs leading to officer licensing in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Texas A&M University at Galveston is located near the mouth of Galveston Bay with close access to the Gulf of Mexico. Most instructional programs are taught at the 130-acre Mitchell Campus on Pelican Island (with housing for 1,400+ students). The training ship serves as a floating classroom, laboratory and dormitory for annual sea term training of the U.S. Maritime Service cadets. During the regular school year, the ship is berthed at Pelican Island and provides valuable dockside laboratory facilities for instruction in the practical aspects of the maritime curricula.
Courses of Study
The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies provides undergraduate degree programs in Marine Biology (MARB), Marine Sciences (MARS), Marine Engineering Technology (MARR), Marine Transportation (MART), Marine Fisheries (MARF), Maritime Business Administration (MARA), Maritime Studies (MAST), Coastal Environmental Science and Society, and University Studies (USGA) (with concentrations in Oceans and One Health; and Tourism and Coastal Community Development). A 5-year program is offered to allow Coastal Environmental Science and Society majors to complete the Master of Marine Resources Management (MARM) degree, combining their senior year of the undergraduate program with the first year of MARM. A similar 5-year program is offered to allow Maritime Business Administration majors to complete the Master of Maritime Business Administration and Logistics (MMAL) in addition to the bachelor's degree program in a total of 5 years. All students complete the University Core Curriculum requirements set by Texas A&M University to ensure a broad-based education.
The College of Engineering offers the first year engineering program as well as degrees in Computer Science, Environmental Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology and Ocean Engineering in residence on the Galveston campus
The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies offers advanced degrees including MS (thesis or non-thesis) and PhD in Marine Biology, a thesis and non-thesis Master of Marine Resource Management degree, a thesis and non-thesis Master of Maritime Business Administration and Logistics degree and a PhD in Marine and Coastal Management and Science.
Texas A&M University at Galveston is fully accredited as a branch campus of Texas A&M University by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Marine Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET and the license option programs of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy including are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Texas A&M University Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets
Texas A&M University at Galveston houses the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the U.S., preparing graduates for licensing as officers in the United States Merchant Marine. This program provides an opportunity for students to learn how to operate and maintain an ocean-going vessel. In addition to classroom and field training during the regular school year, students will sail aboard a training vessel or appropriate commercial placement during three sea terms to gain practical experience in seamanship, navigation and operations. At the conclusion of the program, cadets test to become licensed as officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine and may seek employment in the field of marine transportation as a licensed Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer. Please see the tab title Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
The NROTC Program offers men and women an opportunity to qualify for a commission in the Navy while attending Texas A&M University at Galveston. All NROTC students are required to participate in the Texas A&M Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets. Any student may join the NROTC Program either as a National Scholarship winner or as a non-subsidized college program student. Applications for National Scholarships can be obtained through a Navy recruiting office before the submission deadline of January 30 of the year for which the student is applying.
Mission Statement
Texas A&M University at Galveston is a special-purpose institution of higher education for undergraduate and graduate instruction in marine and maritime studies in science, engineering and business and for research and public service related to the general field of marine resources. The institution is under the management and control of the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System, with degrees offered under the name and authority of Texas A&M University at College Station.
Research Programs
Faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research staff, and students are actively involved in research throughout the world. Research is conducted under the direction of more than 50 faculty members with funding from federal, state, private and university sources including the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of the Interior, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas General Land Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, CONACYT, Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Texas Institute of Oceanography and Research Development Fund. Externally funded research expenditures were over $4.1 million. Total research expenditures were over $5.6 million. Research encompasses both the basic and applied aspects of fields such as marine biology, oceanography, coastal/ocean engineering, marine geology, marine policy and management, environmental studies, conservation, business, admiralty law and coastal zone management. Research is focused largely in the areas of coastal and beach processes (e.g., physical profiling of coastal regions and erosion processes and control), marine life studies (e.g., marine mammal, fish, shellfish, algae and sea turtle biology and ecology), bay and estuary ecosystems (e.g., wetlands management and toxic contaminant analysis), geochemical cycling in marine/aquatic/atmospheric systems and offshore/deep water environments. Many of the faculty researchers hold dual graduate appointments in multiple Texas A&M University departments. Undergraduate students have many opportunities to participate in research, such as the Texas Institute of Oceanography Undergraduate Student Research Program, working as student workers and technicians on funded research programs, taking independent study classes or participating in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Undergraduate students may work in the laboratory and at field sites throughout the world, participate in research cruises, present results at local, national and international meetings, and serve as authors on publications
General Information
Acero-Schertzer Carmen, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Miami, 1996
Adjei, Francis, Visiting Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Texas at Dallas, 2017
Adyasari, Dini, Assistant Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, University of Bremen, 2019
Afenyo, Mawuli, Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2017
Allen, Jonathon, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 2014
Alvarado-Bremer, Jaime, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of Toronto, 1994
Amon, Rainer, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 1995
Armitage Chan, Anna R, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of California at Los Angeles, 2003
Aronson, Carl, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1999
Baker, Robert K, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Business Administration
MBA, University of Houston, 1983
Ballingall, Timothy, Instructional Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Texas Christian University, 2021
Barrows, Timothy, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2017
Bodson, Bruce R, Lecturer
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
JD, South Texas College of Law, 1993
Bomer Galvao, Cassia, Associate Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, Pontificia Universidade Catolica, 2017
Boudreaux, Lowell A, Instructional Professor
Maritime Business Administration
MML, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2017
Boulahouache Chaouki, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Syracuse University, 2002
Brody, Samuel D, Regents Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, University of North Carolina, 2002
Brown Philip, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000
Caesar, Divine, Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, University of Tasmania, 2016
Caton, Amy, Instructional Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
MLS, University of North Texas, 2012
Ciminello, Vito, Instructional Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
MBA, Northwestern University, 1979
Coleman, Gerard T, Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
MS, The George Washington University, 1996
Conway, Steven M, Senior Lecturer
Maritime Business Administration
MA, Yale School of Management, 1982
Davis, Randall W, Regents Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of California at San Diego, 1980
Davlasheridze, Meri, Associate Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2013
Dellapenna, Timothy M, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, The College of William & Mary, 1999
Domsky, Darren K, Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, York University, 2006
Du, Jiabi, Assistant Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, College of William and Mary, 2017
Earle, Thomas, Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Rice University, 2017
Echols, Katherine E, Instructional Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, University of Houston, 2015
Edenfield, George, Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
MA, American Military University, 2013
Emmert, Jacquelyn, Visiting Lecturer
Marine Biology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019
Falvo, Kathryn, Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2018
Faris, Joseph Basam, Associate Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2011
Fathi, Nima, Assistant Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, University of New Mexico, 2017
Fertitta, Kelli, Instructional Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
JD, South Texas College of Law, 2013
Foroughirad, Vivienne, Assistant Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Duke University, 2019
Furth, Brett H, Instructional Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2015
GRIFFITTS, JOSHUA, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University, 2017
Galan Jhenny, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Connecticut, 2006
Galvan Mandujano, Martha C, Lecturer
Liberal Studies
PHD, The University of Oklahoma, 2015
Ghoram, Lawrence, Lecturer
Maritime Business Administration
MML, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2015
Gillespie, Patrick, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Ferris State University, 2009
Hala, David, Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Brunel University, 2007
Hammady Brho, Mazen, Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, University of North Texas, 2018
Haney, Adam D, Instructional Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
MA, Texas A&M University Commerce, 2014
Hark Jr, John F, Lecturer
Maritime Business Administration
BS, Texas A&M University, 1989
Highfield, Wesley E, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2008
Hill, Andrew, Lecturer
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
MS, University of London, 1983
Hochman, Mona E, Lecturer
Marine Biology
MS, University of Maryland, 2000
Jansen, Jack, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University, 1998
Jazayrli, Amer, Assistant Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, KTH Royal Institute of Technoloy, 2020
Josvoll, Kristin K, Instructional Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
MA, Johns Hopkins University, 2015
Kaiser, Karl, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, University of South Carolina, 2009
Kang Cong, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 1999
Kates-Hammond, Cindy, Lecturer
Liberal Studies
EDD, University of South Dakota, 2000
MMU, University of South Dakota, 1995
Khan, Irfan Ahmad, Assistant Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, Carnegie Mellon University, 2018
Kieffer, Kristi, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2012
Kitchen, Sheila, Assistant Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Oregon State University, 2016
Kress, Lisa M, Lecturer
Liberal Studies
MFA, University of Houston, 2001
Labonte, Jessica, Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of British Columbia, 2013
Lamphere, Jenna A, Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2016
Ledford, Christopher E, Instructional Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
MS, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, 2003
Lee, Jiwoong, Assistant Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, 2018
Liu, Hui, Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2006
Lutz, Joann A, Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, University of North Texas, 1993
Luxemburg Leon, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1987
MATICH, PHILIP, Instructional Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Florida International University, 2014
Mark, Samuel E, Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000
Marshall, Christopher, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of Florida, 1997
McQueen, Vanicha Ruth Favors, Associate Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
BS, US Merchant Marine Academy, 1988
Metoyer, Sandra, Visiting Lecturer
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014
Miglietta, Maria P, Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Duke University, 2005
Moore Andrew, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
MS, Texas Tech University, 2018
Morrison, Robert, Professor of the Practice
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2015
PHD, Indiana State University, 2008
Moser Melanie, Instructional Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Houston, 1977
Murray, Ny'Eshia, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2012
Musgrove, Elizabeth, Instructional Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
MA, University of North Texas, 2005
Mykoniatis, Nikolaos, Instructional Associate Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013
Nair Radhika, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Nevada, 2009
Nealon, William, Lecturer
Liberal Studies
MED, Lamar University, 2018
Nelick, Timothy F, Visiting Assistant Professor
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 1987
Nwabueze, Uchenna M, Instructional Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, 1995
Nyakiti, Luke O, Instructional Associate Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, Texas Tech University, 2008
Nyman, Elizabeth A, Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Florida State University, 2010
Ottman, Rebecca, Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Indiana University Bloomington, 2021
Park, Kyeong, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, College of William and Mary, 1993
Pedersen, Frank A, Associate Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
BS, Arendal Maritime College, 1986
Peterlin, John, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, United States Merchant Marine Academy, 1976
Petersen, Lene H, Instructional Associate Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Memorial University of New Foundland, 2010
Pintacuda, Jesse Catherine, Lecturer
Liberal Studies
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2008
Potier, Paul A, Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, Prairie View A&M University, 2012
Presswood, Phillip H, Instructional Assistant Professor
Liberal Studies
MA, University of Houston at Clear Lake, 2011
Qiu Lin, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Alabama, 2006
Quigg, Antonietta S, Regents Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Monash University, 2000
Rantschler James, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Alabama, 2003
Reeves, Adam, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Marine Engineering Technology
BS, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 1993
Retchless, David P, Associate Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2015
Rodrigue, Jean-Paul, Professor
Maritime Business Administration
PHD, Université de Montréal, 1994
Rodriguez, Andrea, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2013
Roelke, Daniel, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1997
Rooker, Jay R, Regents Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 1997
Ross-Wootton, Ashley D, Associate Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2010
Roth, Augusta D, Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
DBA, Walden University, 2018
Ryan, James G, Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, University of Notre Dame, 1981
Schulze, Anja, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, University of Victoria, Canada, 2001
Schwehr, Kathleen, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2004
Shrestha, Khim, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Syracuse University, 2015
Slatton, Katie J, Instructional Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
MED, University of Montevallo, 2003
Smith, Christopher, Instructional Assistant Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, University of Georgia, 2019
Steichen, Jamie L, Instructional Assistant Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013
Tian, Guanyu, Assistant Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, University of Central Flordia, 2022
Townsend Grace, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
MS, University of Houston at Clear Lake, 1983
Traber, Daniel S, Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, University of Houston, 2000
Van Hengstum, Peter J, Professor
Marine and Coastal Environmental Science
PHD, Dalhousie University, Canada, 2011
Vechan, Ryan J, Associate Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
JD, University of Houston, 2014
Verma, Alok, Professor
Marine Engineering Technology
PHD, Old Dominion University, 2005
Viser, Victor J, Instructional Associate Professor
Liberal Studies
PHD, Temple University, 1995
Warren Jesse, Lecturer
Foundational Sciences
MS, University of Houston at Clear Lake, 2005
Weaver, Stephen, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Maritime Transportation
BS, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2017
Wells, Robert J, Professor
Marine Biology
PHD, Louisiana State University, 2007
Williams, Sara S, Senior Lecturer
Liberal Studies
BS, Texas A&M University, 2000
Yi Eunjeong, Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Houston, 2003