On the heels of entering into a memorandum of understanding in June to provide mutually-beneficial educational and professional development opportunities to help students and port professionals, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and Lamar University will sign a program agreement on October 26 that reflects their shared commitment in preparing port industry professionals and leaders for future opportunities and challenges.

The agreement will be signed on the final day of AAPA’s 105th Annual Convention and Expo, in New Orleans, October 23 to 26.

The agreement enables port professionals certified in AAPA’s Professional Port Manager (PPM) program to earn up to six credit hours in the university’s fully online, graduate degree programs in port management. Lamar University, located in Beaumont, Texas, is among the fastest growing universities in the state, and is a member of the Texas State University System.

The partnership also aims to increase the opportunity for students to pursue a career in port or related maritime industry management. Furthermore, AAPA and Lamar University will agree to continue to identify areas of academic and professional collaboration.

The agreement will be implemented through Lamar University’s new Center for Advances in Port Management (CAPM), led by its first executive director, Erik Stromberg. Stromberg has more than three decades of experience in the port industry, highlighted by his nearly decade-long tenure as CEO of AAPA and subsequent 10-year service as CEO of the North Carolina State Ports Authority.

“The center,” said AAPA president and CEO Kurt Nagle, “will advance our industry’s long-standing goal of having academic venues to gain both the theoretical and practical knowledge that will well prepare the next generation of port managers.”

“Lamar University has a tradition of offering programs that are responsive to the needs of our community, the region, the state and the nation,” said Lamar University President Kenneth Evans. “This initiative responds to a need for graduate programs that prepares the next generation of leadership with the practical skills necessary in the dynamic port environment.” Lamar University “will leverage its outstanding faculty expertise and draw the very best from globally sourced experts in the field as lecturers and adjunct faculty.”