- Bachelor of Science from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Master of Science in Facilities Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Marine License - Chief Engineer, Steam, Unlimited Horsepower
- First Assistant Engineer, Motor and Gas Turbine, Unlimited Horsepower
- Stationary License - Massachusetts Third Class
- Bachelor of Science from United States Merchant Marine Academy
- Master of Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Marine License - Chief Engineer, Steam, Unlimited Horsepower
- Third Assistant Engineer, Motor, Unlimited Horsepower
Education:
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA: MS Facilities Management
United States Merchant Marine Academy, Long Island, NY: BS Marine Engineering
Systems, Minor Electrical Engineering
Professional Credentials:
USCG License Chief Engineer, Motor, Steam and Gas Unlimited Horsepower
Education: BS Mass. Maritime, MBA UMASS Dartmouth
Background: Unlimited Chief Engineer of Steam, Motor and Gas Vessels. Massachusetts 2nd Class Steam Engineer
Education:
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA: MS Facilities Management
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA: BS Marine Engineering
Professional Credentials:
USCG License Chief Engineer, Motor and Steam Unlimited Horsepower
USCG License Third Assistant Engineer, Gas Unlimited Horsepower
Education:
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA: BS Marine Engineering
Professional Credentials:
USCG License Chief Engineer, Motor Unlimited Horsepower
- Courses Taught:
- FM-5180: Capstone Advisor
- Education:
- Ed.D Plymouth State University, 2020
- M.S. Facilities Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 2012
- B.S. Marine Engineering, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 2008
- Marine License - Second Assistant Engineer, Steam, Unlimited Horsepower
- Third Assistant Engineer, Motor and Gas Turbine, Unlimited Horsepower
- Stationary License: Massachusetts Third Class
Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, is the President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the country. Founded in 1891, the Academy has been training business leaders, ship captains, engineers, and professional officers in the 19th, 20th, and now the 21st century. Offering seven undergraduate and three graduate majors, the Academy is one of two “special mission” public universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Upon graduation from the Academy in 1985, McDonald pursued an engineering career and earned a Master of Science in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He returned to his alma mater in 1995 to serve as Director of Cooperative Education, a role in which he developed and implemented the cooperative education program and dramatically increased placement rates for undergraduate interns and graduating seniors. Appointed as Dean of Enrollment Management in 1999, he led the rebranding of the Academy which resulted in a dramatic increase in numbers and diversity of incoming freshmen. He has since served as Vice President for Operations, heading up a major campus building expansion, and as Executive Vice President. President McDonald holds a Doctor of Law and Policy from Northeastern University and has served as an adjunct professor in the Academy’s emergency management graduate program. He assumed the role of President in August 2015 following unanimous votes of the MMA Board of Trustees and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, with the rank of Rear Admiral conferred by the U.S. Maritime Administrator. President McDonald is active in or has served on several community and professional organizations including the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce, Barnstable School Committee, Sturgis Charter School, Cape Cod Collaborative, and the Marine Society at Salem. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, President McDonald now resides in Marstons Mills with his wife Beth and their two children Kathryn and Harrison.
