VALLEJO, CA — California State University Maritime Academy will host its inaugural Pride in Maritime Summit (PiMS) from Wednesday, Oct.
11 to Friday, Oct. 13 in Vallejo, Calif. The summit aims to unite maritime professionals,
community leaders, and students from diverse backgrounds, while highlighting LGBTQIA
trailblazers across the maritime industry. 
“I am encouraged and excited that Cal Maritime is working to provide members of the campus community and beyond with opportunities to discuss the layers of the LGBTQIA experience,” said Dr. Beth Hellwig, interim vice president of Cadet Leadership and Development. “The summit will bring higher education faculty, staff, administrators and students together to learn through interactive sessions, speakers and experiences. I am so proud of those who dreamed of providing a summit on our campus to promote understanding and celebration of those in the LGBTQIA community.”
Attendees can look forward to equity-centered leadership development programming, workshops, panels, and keynote addresses that are intended to build a diverse community and shape pathways to career advancement whether at land or at sea.
Registration is currently open for the summit that will take place in a hybrid format both virtually and in person on Cal Maritime’s campus.
“Acknowledging the dynamic nature of our global community, PiMS is delighted to unveil an innovative blend of in-person and virtual sessions,” said Meagan Nance, PiMS coordinator and director of Cal Maritime’s Inclusion Initiatives and the Educational Opportunity Program. “This approach allows participants from around the world to engage in the summit from their own spaces or gather at our picturesque campus for an enriching experience.”
Panels and sessions include an opening keynote “Proud & Empowered in the Maritime Industry” that will kick off the summit on Wednesday, Oct. 11, “How to be a Changemaker in the Workplace” set for Thursday, Oct. 12, and the closing keynote on Friday, Oct. 13 “Navigating Storms with Resilience.”
“These thought-provoking sessions are designed to empower attendees with actionable insights, foster meaningful connections, and inspire positive change within the maritime industry,” said Nance.
The inaugural Pride in Maritime Summit is committed to paving the way for inclusivity and diversity within the maritime sector. By offering a flexible, hybrid format, the summit is aimed at accessibility for a global audience in an effort to ensure that professionals worldwide can participate in this transformative event.
For more information about the inaugural Pride in Maritime Summit and to register for sessions, please visit www.csum.edu/diversity/pride-in-maritime.
ABOUT THE PRIDE IN MARITIME SUMMIT (PiMS)
The inaugural Pride in Maritime Summit (PiMS) marks a historic milestone in promoting the professional growth of LGBTQIA leaders and allies, in the maritime industry. Through a combination of virtual and in-person engagement, PiMS aims to create a more inclusive and diverse maritime sector, pioneering positive change and progress.
ABOUT CAL MARITIME
Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting
maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus offers
undergraduate degrees that prepare students for careers in engineering, transportation,
international relations, business, and global logistics. Cal Maritime also offers
a master’s degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number
of extended learning programs and courses.