National University is the second largest private university in California, with more than 18,000 full-time-equivalent students enrolled across the state. The independent non-profit institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The purchase of College of Oceaneering (COO) from former co-owners John Schwitters and Alek Haidos was completed in January. Former naval commander Nicholas A. Trongale, Ed.D., immediately became the fourth President of the Los Angeles Harbor-based commercial diving training center. COO will operate within the National University system as a separate but affiliated entity.

A former chief of staff for the USS Abraham Lincoln Battle Group, Trongale was responsible for the day-to-day operations of an aircraft carrier and seven accompanying ships, including a crew of 10,000 and air wing of 90 aircraft. A 22-year veteran of the US Navy, he also served as Federal Executive Research Fellow at the Rand Corporation, and possesses a Master's degree from Stanford University.

Dr. Trongale leaves the University of San Diego, where he was Director of Strategic Programs and Co-Director of the Leadership Institute for the School of Education. He received his doctoral degree in Leadership Studies from USD in 2001.

He plans to add new facilities and increase enrollment in all three of its programs. Leadership will be emphasized within the curricula and COO will explore partnerships with law enforcement and the military to enhance the defense of submerged infrastructure surrounding the nation's ports, harbors, rivers, aqueducts, and reservoirs.

Founded in 1967, COO has educated more than 8,500 students and graduates close to 300 entry-level professionals per year in the fields of hyperbaric medical technology, non-destructive testing technology, underwater welding technology, and marine technologies.

Its Los Angeles Harbor facility is considered one of the most respected diver training centers in the world, educating a workforce that is in high demand among offshore energy exploration, marine development industries and engineering firms throughout the world.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Trongale's advanced degrees include a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego; a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Stanford University; a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois.

Before entering higher education, Dr. Trongale spent 22 years in the US Navy, retiring as a captain. While in the Navy, he commanded an E-2C Hawkeye, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron. He was selected for deep draft command, and was the executive officer of an amphibious assault carrier, chief staff officer and acting commodore of an amphibious squadron, and chief of staff for a deployed carrier battle group.

Dr. Trongale's research interests include the role of commercial diving in the 21st century, as well as military leadership, past, present and future. He is the author of Navy Leadership Theory and Practice: Post-Vietnam; The U.S. National Interest and Technology Transfer Policy: They Must be United; and The Vietnam of Drug Wars: National Strategy and the Military's Role and Effectiveness. He is the co-author of China's Naval Power, and Chinese Defense Modernization. He was also a member of a team of researchers that authored The Investment Strategy for Information Operations and Implications of Unmanned Air Vehicles for the Future Shape of the Air Force.

Dr. Trongale and his wife Kate have two teenagers, son Danny and daughter Megan. As this interview shows, he plans to continue the growth the school enjoyed under the leadership of Schwitters and Haidos. "I have a tremendous sense of purpose in my new role that parallels my military experience. I believe that the college's mission is vitally important to national security," he says.

UW: How and when did you become involved with National University and their acquisition of the College of Oceaneering?
Dr. Trongale: I was the Director of Strategic Programs and teaching Leadership at the University of San Diego when I received a call to meet with Dr. Jerry C. Lee, the President of National University and the new Chancellor of the National University System. I was offered the position as President of the College of Oceaneering and accepted. It was a great opportunity to head up an organization again!

UW: Did you know former College of Oceaneering owners John Schwitters and Alek Haidos before all this? Were you familiar with the college?
Dr. Trongale: I did not know them at all until the later process of negotiating the acquisition of the college. I was not at all familiar with the college and its commercial diving training program prior to being approached about leading the college.

UW: What changes will occur in the College of Oceaneering's curriculum, faculty, facilities, and recruitment? Where does the college need to go from here?
Dr. Trongale: The biggest changes for the College of Oceaneering are that we are opening a second campus in San Diego, Calif., on July 1, 2002, and that we are now non-profit. Other changes include a new emphasis on leadership and ethics for our students, and continuing education type programs - some that are not exclusively related to diving, such as non-destructive testing, but have similar training requirements.

The curriculum will change to reflect the needs of the industry. Also, as our continuing education programs grow, we will be required to hire additional faculty, both full-time and adjunct, and expand the capabilities of our facilities to meet our new requirements. Our association with National University, the second largest university in California, offers us a tremendous amount of expertise in countless areas that were not available to our faculty and staff before. However, the big winners in the acquisition will be our students, and ultimately, I believe, the commercial diving industry.

UW: What are your thoughts on the ADC and its role in the commercial diving industry?
Dr. Trongale: I am still learning about the industry and about the Association of Diving Contractors. I suspect that this learning will be life-long. I have been extremely impressed with the people I met at the recent Underwater Intervention convention in New Orleans and here on the West Coast, and I am very willing and excited to learn from them all. I had a great conversation with Dr. Saxon at the convention. It was very informative and welcoming.

With that said, my initial thoughts are that we, as a college, need to produce the type of student that the industry needs and wants. Since the industry is represented by the ADC, I will be seeking all feedback and insight that the ADC may have for me and the College of Oceaneering. I believe in a one-team concept. Therefore, I envision working closely with the ADC.

UW: What are your thoughts on the Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE) and its role in the commercial diving industry?
Dr. Trongale: As with ADC and the diving industry, I am looking forward to meeting all of the ACDE members and learning as much as possible about the field of commercial diving training as quickly as possible. I will apply my same philosophy on teamwork in working with ACDE.

UW: What is your first challenge as President of the College of Oceaneering?
Dr. Trongale: My first challenge? That is a great question. I guess I have been so busy that I haven't had the opportunity to identify just one challenge. However, if I had to choose just one, I would say that my biggest challenge is leading an organization in a changing and dynamic environment, or just leading change.