
Elspeth Mcmahon
OFFICE OF RESEARCH
NORFOLK, 23529
Dr. McMahon is °¼Í¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s inaugural Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives. She has over twenty years of dynamic experience in the commercial, military, and education sectors of the maritime industry. McMahon is currently a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and has extensive experience working for Military Sealift Command as a Strategic Sealift Officer. She also holds an active United States Coast Guard Chief Mate Unlimited Tonnage License and has sailed commercially for Maersk Lines, Limited. With a passion for maritime education and training, she spent almost a decade as an Assistant Professor in the Marine Transportation Department at the State University of New York Maritime College. There, she educated the next generation of licensed deck officers, teaching everything from Leadership to Ship Stability and Cargo Operations. McMahon holds an undergraduate degree in Marine Transportation from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a master’s degree in International Transportation Management from State University of New York Maritime College, a master’s degree in Maritime and Air Transport Management specializing in maritime research from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and a doctoral degree in Nautical Sciences from the University of Antwerp. McMahon is a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Transportation Research Board, Marine Board, and board member of the Virginia Maritime Association. McMahon currently plays a critical role in coordinating and advancing the university's maritime related programs, research, industry outreach, and communication. She collaborates closely with regional maritime enterprises to address the needs of stakeholders across port logistics, maritime supply chain, and shipbuilding and repair. Under her leadership, °¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ has strengthened its position as a key regional maritime partner and was designated a 2024 Maritime Administration (MARAD) Center of Excellence for Maritime Workforce Training and Education.
Presentations
- McMahon, E. (April 12, 2024). °¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ's 2nd Annual Maritime Conference Other Maritime Conference Norfolk, VA.