Captain Preston C. De Jean, USMS

Captain Preston De Jean joined the United States Merchant Marine Academy in March 2011 as a faculty member in the Department of Marine Transportation, Business Division.

Since arriving at the Academy, he spearheaded the creation of the Maritime Law Society; served as Chair of the Self-Study Steering Committee for the 2016 Decennial Reaccreditation; served as Assistant Dean for Academic Support Programs and Interim Academic Dean; and has participated on numerous academy-wide committees.

CAPT De Jean is currently serving as the acting Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. 

CAPT De Jean formerly served as a United States Army officer, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as a Transportation and Logistics Officer with his last assignment with the U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command at Scott AFB, IL.

During his tours of service on both active duty and reserve status, he participated in a number of military exercises and operations with duty across the continental United States, Korea, Europe, along with assignments in Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As a licensed attorney in Louisiana, he practiced law specializing in tax related matters, contracts, bankruptcy, and business consulting. He has also worked in higher education administration as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for the Southern University System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

CAPT De Jean holds a Juris Doctor from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. In addition, he has completed studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education, receiving a certificate in the Art and Practice of Leadership.

Year Started – 2011

Education

• J.D. Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• LL.M. Taxation, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California
• B.S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana

Teaching Interests

• Admiralty Law
• Business Law
• Transportation and Logistics

Research Interests

• Maritime Law
• Maritime Bankruptcy