Col. Michael Fossum, Vice President – Texas A&M University, Chief Operating Officer – Texas A&M University at Galveston, Superintendent – Texas A&M Maritime Academy

Texas A&M University at Galveston achieved a major milestone with the addition of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, reinforcing its leadership in ocean-related fields. In an interview with Invest:, Col. Michael Fossum highlighted the launch of the Lone Star State training ship for cadet education and disaster response, and a $51 million engineering building to expand STEM programs.

What have been some key recent developments at Texas A&M University at Galveston?

It’s been an exciting year. One major milestone is the recognition of our academic programs as part of the newly created College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, now recognized as one of Texas A&M’s 11 colleges. This distinction solidifies our identity as the most comprehensive unit in the country focused on ocean-related fields, including transportation, sciences, business, humanities, and engineering. Dr. Debbie Thomas, our founding dean, brings extensive experience in geosciences and ocean research, and she has an incredible vision for the college.

Another critical distinction is our maritime mission. Our campus is also home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the country, the only one in the Southern U.S., and the only one part of a Tier 1 research university. Students undergo extensive training, including hands-on international semesters at sea crewing the academy’s training ship, all to prepare them to serve as officers and maritime professionals afloat, ashore and in the military.

We also continue to expand engineering education. In addition to our degree in marine engineering technology, we’ve partnered with Texas A&M’s College of Engineering, one of the largest in the nation, with over 25,000 students, and have one of their associate deans based on our campus. Many Aggie engineering students begin their general studies here on the island and choose to stay to pursue their bachelor’s or graduate degrees in ocean engineering or undergraduate degrees in computer science. We plan to expand these degree offerings. To support this growth, we’re constructing a $51 million engineering building, which has already topped out and will be completed next year.

Everything we do here is connected to the ocean. Our integrated programming, which includes our new college, the maritime academy, and our partners at the College of Engineering, reinforces our position as the state’s premier marine and maritime destination.

What strategic advantages does Galveston offer Texas A&M’s maritime and research mission?

Being on the water directly connects us to the maritime industry and real-world environmental challenges. When incidents occur, like fires or spills in Galveston Bay, our researchers are often the first to take water samples and provide data to support response efforts and continue our research enterprise. Our research vessels are on the water almost daily, whether for classes, training, or emergency response.

Our location on the Galveston Ship Channel, which is in proximity to the ports of Houston and Texas City, allows us to collaborate closely with industry partners. The state of Texas is increasingly recognizing the importance of the maritime sector — 28% of the state’s GDP comes from maritime industries. Texas has been the No. 1 exporting state for 23 consecutive years, with key exports like oil, gas, industrial equipment, and even agricultural goods like cotton. Most people don’t realize how essential maritime trade is to everyday life — 100% of the cell phones in our pockets, 100% of the bananas we consume, and 97% of the clothes on our backs arrive by ship. The state is investing heavily in port infrastructure, with $200 million in direct grants and over $400 million in directed loans allocated in the 2023 legislative session. These improvements will help ensure that Texas remains a global leader in shipping and trade.

How is the university addressing workforce demands in the maritime industry?

There’s a growing demand for workers across all levels of the maritime industry. At the vocational level, institutions like San Jacinto Maritime train entry-level deckhands and technical workers. At Texas A&M, we focus on officer-level positions, preparing cadets to take leadership roles aboard ships. These officers require U.S. Coast Guard certification and must meet strict international training standards. The nation’s maritime industry suffers severely from a lack of these licensed mariners. In 2024 alone, Texas had an unmet demand of more than 1,000 of these uniquely qualified individuals.

We’re also playing a leadership role in shaping global maritime training policies. Our faculty serve on international committees that influence mariner certification and training standards worldwide. This is a significant step, as we’ve historically focused more on national policy but are now making an impact at the global level.

How will the new training ship, the Lone Star State, enhance cadet training and disaster response?

The Lone Star State recently floated from the Hanwha Philly Shipyard for the first time, which was an incredible moment. Although it’s still over a year from delivery, seeing it take shape has been exciting.

From a training perspective, the ship will feature state-of-the-art diesel-electric propulsion and advanced navigation systems. One of the most exciting upgrades is the dual-bridge design. The ship will have two fully functional control bridges, one for actual ship operations and another dedicated to training. This will allow cadets to gain hands-on experience without interfering with live navigation, effectively doubling our training capacity.

Beyond training, the ship is also a critical asset for disaster response. It features a large roll-on/roll-off deck, allowing vehicles, generators, and heavy equipment to quickly load and deploy in emergencies. It can house up to 1,000 people in a humanitarian crisis, providing shelter, food, air conditioning, medical facilities, and command and control communications, all of which are essential for relief efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes.

The ship will be activated by FEMA and the Texas Department of Emergency Management as needed. With a two-day sailing range from Key West to Brownsville, it will be a game-changer for coastal disaster response.

What role will the new engineering and research building play in STEM education?

Texas A&M’s College of Engineering is one of the largest in the nation, and demand for engineers in Texas continues to grow. College Station has nearly reached capacity, so we’re expanding here in Galveston, where we have room to grow and the advantage of an oceanfront location.

This new facility will provide advanced labs and research spaces specifically designed for coastal and ocean engineering. Our students won’t just study theories; they’ll be able to see and work with real-world infrastructure like ports, ship channels, and coastal defense systems. This hands-on approach is a huge advantage in preparing the next generation of engineers.

What is your vision for Texas A&M at Galveston in the years ahead?

One of our most exciting initiatives is the Institute for Disaster Resilience, led by Dr. Sam Brody. His team has spent 15 years mapping flood risks down to the street level, and their work was fully validated by Hurricane Harvey. They developed Buyers Aware, an online tool that provides homebuyers with risk assessments for flooding, storm surge, wind damage, and industrial hazards. It’s now being integrated with the Houston Association of Realtors, empowering potential buyers to make informed decisions.

Beyond disaster preparedness, my biggest passion is our students. They are the reason I’m here. I love seeing them thrive, whether it’s in the evening when student clubs are meeting, watching them build lifelong friendships, seeing them in active learning on campus and at sea on the training ship, or launching into their future careers with excellent academic preparation and equipped with a strong work ethic and internal values. Texas A&M’s Aggie Network is over half a million strong, and our students know they can connect with fellow Aggies anywhere in the world.

The future is bright for Texas A&M at Galveston. We are growing, leading in maritime and STEM education, and shaping the future of coastal resilience. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.