California State University (CSU) Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester has appointed retired Navy Reserve Vice Admiral Michael J. Dumont to serve as interim president of California State University Maritime Academy. Dumont will begin in his position on July 7, 2023, and will serve in that capacity until a new president is appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees.

“Vice Admiral Dumont possesses an extraordinary breadth and depth of specialized knowledge and skills that align with the unique needs of the California State University Maritime Academy,” said Koester. “Over the course of his illustrious careers in both the military and the civil service, he provided sage guidance to military leaders and governmental officials at the highest levels and has demonstrated superlative leadership skills. He will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to Cal Maritime and its cadets, faculty and staff, as well as the maritime community more broadly.”

“California State University Maritime Academy is an institution that provides life-changing opportunities for graduates who go on to become leaders in the maritime industry,” said Dumont. “Cal Maritime is also at the forefront and leading by example in its work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion across the nation’s maritime academies and help meet the needs of cadets, faculty and staff regardless of background. I am extremely appreciative of this opportunity to build on these efforts so that all women and men feel welcome and empowered as they pursue their educational goals and professional aspirations.”

Dumont most recently served as deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of NORAD where, under the direction of the president of the United States and the secretary of defense, he was responsible for overseeing the protection of North America, providing homeland defense, maintaining cooperative security relationships, and supporting state, local and tribal authorities.

When not serving in uniform, he held senior policymaking roles in several agencies of the Federal government including as a principal deputy assistant secretary of defense. Earlier in his career he was a litigation attorney with a private law firm representing businesses, municipal governments, and institutions of higher education. He later served as a supervisory prosecuting attorney in Virginia before joining the U.S. Department of Justice where he handled aviation & admiralty litigation as well as major white collar fraud investigations. Since leaving government service, Dumont has been employed as a strategy consultant to business, industry, and higher education.

His teaching experience includes having served as a military instructor pilot, and as a legal instructor for the National Advocacy Center, the National College of District Attorneys, and the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council. He has also served as a guest lecturer for several institutions including the University of Southern Maine, the University of Idaho, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the University of New Mexico.

Dumont earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine, a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, a Master of Science from the National War College, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.  His husband, Scott, is employed as a corporate strategist with a global aerospace, defense and IT services company.

In November 2022, Cal Maritime’s current president, Thomas A. Cropper, announced that he would be retiring, stepping down from the position at the end of the academic year. Cropper is the 14th president of Cal Maritime and has served in that capacity since 2012.