KINGS POINT, NY, December 8, 2022 – During an historic Assumption of Command Ceremony this afternoon, Joanna M. Nunan, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) became the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) 14th superintendent and first woman to hold the role.

The event began with Maritime Administrator, Rear Admiral Ann Phillips, U.S. Navy (Ret.), introducing the new superintendent to the Regiment of Midshipmen and the Academy community. During the all hands event in Ackerman Auditorium, she mentioned Nunan’s three decades of leadership and service in the U.S. Coast Guard, where she commanded units both afloat and ashore. Phillips then administered the United States Maritime Service oath of office to the newly commissioned Superintendent.

After her commissioning, Vice Admiral Nunan was installed as Superintendent of the Academy.  In her remarks, Nunan said that she “is inspired by the stories of Kings Point and the Merchant Marine. In fact, I believe I am standing on hallowed ground.”  She is committed to working hand in hand with the Maritime Administration to make the Academy a world-class facility.

Before retiring earlier this year, Nunan was the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment, training, support, and retention of all active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. She also oversaw the Coast Guard Academy and served on its Board of Trustees.   

Prior to that, Rear Admiral Nunan served as the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. In that role, among her many responsibilities, she helped spearhead efforts to expand diversity and inclusion in the Coast Guard, including formulating policy changes focused on increasing the retention of women in the service.  She also served as a member of the Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery Committee. 

Earlier in her career, she served as the Military Advisor to Department of Homeland Security Secretaries Jeh Johnson and John Kelly, as well as the Military Assistant to Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. She also served more than nine years at sea —including commanding two buoy tenders — and previously served as the Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District in the Great Lakes and as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.   

A Bridgeport, Connecticut native, Nunan graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1987 and received her Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic. She also holds several Coast Guard merchant marine licenses, including Master of vessels of not more than 1,600 gross tons and 3rd Mate on vessels of unlimited tonnage, upon oceans.

Click to read Vice Admiral Nunan’s Official Biography