Dean, Learning Resources and
Information Technology
Born in Detroit, Michigan, William P. Craft served in the United States Navy as an enlisted Photographic Intelligenceman from 1967 until 1971.
He left military service to attend Michigan State University, where he graduated in 1973 from the Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography.
In 1974, he returned to the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer and qualified in surface ships. Over the years he served in numerous seagoing assignments, including nine extended deployments to the Western Pacific and a tour as the Commanding Officer of USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986). Whenever he was assigned to positions in the Navy's shore establishment, he specialized in computers, communications, and satellite navigation systems. In 1991 he was designated as a proven subspecialist in Information Technology.
From 1995 until 1998, then Captain Craft served as Chair, Seamanship and Navigation Department, at the United States Naval Academy. In this assignment he directed the largest academic department at the academy and coordinated the summer at sea training activities for more that 1,200 midshipmen. He completed a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts (Great Books) degree from St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland in 1997.
From 1998 till 2001, he served as the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer at the NROTC program at UC Berkeley. This program serves students attending UC Berkeley, Stanford University, UC Davis, and California Maritime Academy. In 2000 he was designated as a Microsoft Certified Professional. In 2001, Mr. Craft retired from the Navy after 31 years of service.
Mr Craft was appointed as Dean, School of Learning Resources and Information Technology at San Diego Mesa College in 2001. In this capacity he is responsible for the Learning Resource Center, for Mesa College Distance Education faculty training and technical support, and for all College IT planning and maintenance.
In 2003, Mr. Craft was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Chula Vista Public Library and in 2006 he was elected as the Chairman of that board.
Married in 1979, Mr. Craft and his wife Patricia currently reside in Eastlake Trails, Chula Vista, California.
William P. Craft, Dean