Cal Maritime Transitions to Cal Poly Maritime with New Leadership

Exciting changes are on the horizon as the California Maritime Academy transitions to Cal Poly Maritime, merging with Cal Poly’s Solano Campus.This move aims to enhance educational offerings and streamline operations across both institutions.

To spearhead this integration, Cal Poly has appointed two key figures: Dr. Corey Cook will take on the role of vice president and CEO of Cal Poly, Solano Campus, while Rear Admiral (Retired) Eric C. Jones from the U.S. Coast Guard will serve as superintendent of the new maritime academy. Their appointments follow a thorough national search and will officially begin on July 1, 2025.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong expressed enthusiasm about these appointments, stating that Cook and Jones will collaborate closely with staff from both campuses to further their mission of hands-on learning and strengthen their commitment to maritime education.

This merger was greenlit by the CSU Board of Trustees in November, aiming to leverage Cal Poly’s accomplished enrollment strategies while uniting two institutions known for their practical educational approaches.

Michael J. Dumont, interim president at Cal Maritime, highlighted that this integration is a pivotal advancement for enhancing student success across all programs at both campuses.

In his new position, Cook is set to provide strategic direction and leadership for all initiatives at Solano Campus. He comes with an impressive background in higher education; previously serving as executive vice president at Saint Mary’s College in California where he focused on academic innovation and community engagement.

Cook holds advanced degrees in political science from prestigious universities like UC Berkeley and Wisconsin-Madison—credentials that underscore his expertise in institutional development.

Simultaneously occurring, Jones brings over three decades of experience from his time with the U.S. Coast Guard into his role overseeing academic programs related to merchant mariner licensing at the academy. His extensive career includes high-level positions such as assistant commandant for human resources where he managed meaningful operational challenges during major crises like hurricanes and pandemics.

A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard academy with a master’s degree from MIT underlines his strong foundation in leadership within complex environments—skills that will be invaluable as he guides future cadets thru rigorous training programs.

The official administrative merger into one university—Cal Poly—is set for July 1st next year; however, full academic integration is expected by fall 2026 when students can enroll under this unified banner.