The superintendent of the United States Naval Academy is its commanding officer. The position is a statutory office (10 U.S.C. § 8451a), and is roughly equivalent to the chancellor or president of an American civilian university. The officer appointed is, by tradition, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. However, this is not an official requirement for the position.
The United States Naval Academy is organized much like a civilian college. The superintendent's principal duties include overseeing a civilian Academic Dean, who manages the academic program and faculty, and the Commandant of Midshipmen, who serves as dean of students and supervisor of all military and professional training. The superintendent, commandant, academic dean, and academic division directors sit on the academic board, which sets the academy's academic standards.[1]