Rockport‑Fulton maritime CTE program highlights industry partnerships and A&M Galveston pathway

Rockport‑Fulton ISD trustees on Sept. 16 heard an annual maritime program update that detailed the district’s regional maritime career pathway, new instructor staffing and active partnerships with industry and higher education.

Maritime instructors and CTE staff recounted recent activities and partnerships. Mark McGinnis of G&H Towing attended the meeting and described the company’s long‑running support: “We operate 52 harbor tugs along the Texas coast, 12 right here in Corpus Christi, Rockport area. We’ve taken 3 of the Rockport students that were interns and have hired them permanently,” McGinnis said.

CTE staff said the program’s course sequence begins with Principles of Maritime, continues through maritime science and shipboard engineering courses, and culminates in a Practicum in Transportation — a work‑based learning experience with internships. Staff noted that maritime is a regional program of study and said RFISD is one of three regions in Texas that currently host a maritime pathway.

The district said it has ongoing partnerships with Texas A&M University at Galveston and Del Mar College and is discussing expanded curriculum alignment and summer camps with A&M Galveston. Staff reported recent site visits to A&M Galveston and meetings with graduates now enrolled there to gather information for curriculum mapping and shop configuration.

District staff also said the Port of Corpus Christi has expressed willingness to offer internships and that the district will develop an application and interview process for those positions in October. The program director introduced Truman Jenkins as the district’s new maritime teacher; Jenkins has shadowed the prior instructor and met with industry and college partners during the transition.

No formal board action was required. Trustees thanked staff and industry partners for work placing students in internships and for advising curriculum alignment aimed at making students ready for immediate employment or postsecondary maritime programs.

— Reporting from the Sept. 16 Rockport‑Fulton ISD board meeting.