02/16/2022
Our celebration of continues with Maritime College faculty member and alumna Raina J. Barnes ’14 (G)‘16.
Raina Barnes is no stranger to Maritime College or the Bronx for that matter. The Bronx native has always lived relatively close to the College and would often see the Maritime College wall as she traveled across the Throggs Neck Bridge each week to visit her grandparents in Queens. Although she had applied and was accepted to several state maritime academies while in high school, her mother (and strongest advocate) insisted she attend Maritime College and secure a maritime career.
Raina began at Maritime College in 2010 as a civilian student with an internship option exploring the business aspect of the industry. The following year, she joined the Regiment to study Marine Transportation with a deck license. She pursued leadership roles such as Regimental squad leader, resident assistant and participated in the Cadet Shipping Program where she enjoyed many aspects of the experience. “I went to the Great Lakes and had the best time; the operations, the crew, and the people were amazing!” As an undergrad, Raina joined the Cultural Club, became President of the Propeller Club, attended conventions, assisted in managing building operations (on campus) at Baylis Hall, and in 2013, was awarded Student of the Year.
After graduating in 2014, Raina returned to Maritime College to pursue a graduate degree in International Transportation Management. She was awarded her master’s degree in 2016 and went to Detroit, MI seeking a pilotage in the Great Lakes. She began sailing as a Third Mate that same year with American Steamship Company.
From early in her career, Raina was encouraged to grow professionally in the maritime industry. The First Mate on her assigned ship consistently encouraged her; helping her to develop the skills to serve as First Mate as he studied to become Captain. Other Captains also offered their support, pushing Raina towards a path of leadership. By early 2020, she was placed in the cohort for Captain’s training, attended meetings, observed captains and prepared the take the necessary exams. In 2021, she received a Captain’s license, Master – Unlimited Tonnage, for the Great Lakes and Inland waterways of the U.S.
As COVID-19 raged on in 2021, Raina sought opportunities ashore, applying for various positions, including Lecturer in the Marine Transportation Department at her alma mater. She was invited to work on the Empire State for the 2021 Summer Sea Term and offered the lecturer position. “One of my classmates was getting off the ship while I was getting on, and I received a warm welcome home. Being back on the training ship was surreal.”
Raina is the first African American lecturer to teach in the Marine Transportation Department, a merit noted by several students on the training ship that summer and since, and one in which she is mindful, especially when students learn of her Bronx residency. “It’s an honor to be the first to hold this position, but I don’t expect I will be the only one for too long. I try to leverage my position as a Black woman lecturer in a maritime college by giving my all. That’s the legacy I’d like to leave behind.” She currently teaches bridge resource management lectures and labs. Last semester she taught pilotage and shiphandling, and bridge resource management. “I get to teach students to stand in their authority and prepare them for the real world. We discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion and working with people who don’t look like you; the responsibility of being in charge of people regardless of who they are.” Maritime College Alumni Assoc.
![I had a wonderful time presenting on Humane Leadership to this dynamic group of people! Thank you CSU Maritime Academy] ...](https://img4.businesses10.com/114/970/928256031149702.jpg)
