Civil Rights / Equal Employment Opportunity

​It is the policy of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Maritime Administration and the Department of Transportation to provide equal opportunity for all of employees, former employees or applicants for employment. Everyone has the inherent right to fair treatment, equal employment opportunities and a workplace free of harassment (sexual and non-sexual) and other types of unlawful discrimination. The Maritime Administration Office of Civil Rights is responsible for monitoring the Academy's compliance with equal opportunity laws and regulations, implementation of affirmative programs for federal employment and regulatory reporting.

The mission of the Office of Civil Rights is to manage the Department of Transportation's EEO program as implemented by the Superintendent, with the objective of eliminating unlawful employment discrimination. The Office provides program and management support services and promotes a diverse workforce founded upon equality of opportunity. It is the Office's vision to have a workplace where every employee trusts they will be treated fairly and will be empowered to achieve their best.

Managers and supervisors must implement EEO into all personnel management functions, including recruiting, selecting, hiring, training, developing, promoting, reassigning, evaluating, awarding, counseling, disciplining or separating employees. Decisions founded on prohibited personnel practices, preferential treatment, bias, prejudice or retaliation are not tolerated.

Complaints may be filed by contacting the EEO Officer or the Maritime Administration Office of Civil Rights. The contact at the Maritime Administration to file a complaint is:

Sophia Soler
Director, Office of Civil Rights
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, New York 11024-1699
Email: Solers@usmma.edu
Office: (516) 726-5753

Cell: (516) 220-1483

If you have an issue or complaint and would like assistance, please contact via the phone or email above.