<p>USMMA really needs some creative thinking to break through the mess it is in. I really don’t have too much confidence that the government will find the creative personnel needed to remake the school for today’s environment. First of all, the salaries for the top administrators are government levels, poor by industry standards. Most top government officials really make money after they leave the government and go into private industry. There is no path for a top admin leaving USMMA.</p>
<p>This leaves the shipping and transportation industry to push for the changes at the school that will serve them for the next half century. Do they really care if their “talent” comes from a state school or a national school?</p>
<p>Another path could be to co-utilize the existing facilities to drive the operating cost down. Having the Navy locate a new SWO school on campus could help infuse cash and drive utilization rates up for the existing infrastructure. I’m sure that there are other government agencies that would fit very well with the capabilities that currrently exist at KP and could even expand the possibilites for the students.</p>
<p>As I said in an earlier post, I recall “mission statement” problems along with budget problems going on at KP for a long time. The school really needs a champion in DC to step up and chart its course for the future.</p>