U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities Linda L. Fagen will be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual Women on the Water Conference hosted by Great Lakes Maritime Academy's Women on the Water Cadet Club October 26-28.

Maritime students will travel to Traverse City from seven academies across North America for the event, which was founded in 2007 to "support women entering the maritime industry and promote professionalism." The conference rotates between academies based in locations ranging from California to Canada.

A variety of maritime officers, human resource directors, industry representatives and government officials will participate as speakers, panelists and workshop guests to "assist future mariners with their professional development and career options," according to Northwestern Michigan College. The conference will include a video welcome from U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and remarks from Maritime Administrator RADM Mark H. Buzby. GLMA will also host concurrent prospective student admissions sessions.

For conference registration and more information, click here.