Report on Leadership Transition at the U.S. Naval Academy and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report analyzes the tenure and recent removal of Vice Adm. Yvette Davids as the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. The events are examined through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Analysis of Tenure in Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Milestones in Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

Vice Adm. Yvette Davids’ appointment in 2023 marked a historic achievement in the advancement of SDG 5 and SDG 10 within a key national institution. Her position represented significant progress for several reasons:

• She was the first female superintendent in the 180-year history of the U.S. Naval Academy, directly addressing SDG 5’s target for ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.
• As the first Hispanic person to lead the academy, her appointment also constituted a major step toward fulfilling SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality and promote the social and political inclusion of all, irrespective of origin or ethnicity.
• Her leadership was viewed by alumnae as a transformative moment, challenging traditional male-centric leadership models and demonstrating that women can integrate their own strengths into high-level command roles.

Challenges to Institutional Integrity and Justice (SDG 16)

Upon assuming command, Vice Adm. Davids confronted several institutional challenges that directly relate to the objectives of SDG 16, which seeks to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

1. Political Obstruction: Her nomination was delayed for six months by political maneuvering in the U.S. Senate, highlighting vulnerabilities in the process of appointing leaders to critical institutional roles.
2. Institutional Violence: She inherited the challenge of addressing a report that showed a doubling of sexual assaults at the academy, a critical issue that falls under SDG 16’s target to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
3. Governance and Oversight: The tenure was marked by external political pressure, including an initiative to replace the academy’s Board of Visitors, which impacts the stability and accountability of institutional governance.
4. Access to Information: A Department of Defense order led to a ban on over 400 books at the academy’s library. This action runs counter to SDG 16’s goal of ensuring public access to information and SDG 4 (Quality Education). While most books were later returned, the incident underscores the fragility of academic freedom within the institution.

Implications of Premature Removal on SDG Progress

Setback for Gender Equality and Institutional Stability

The decision to remove Vice Adm. Davids after only 18 months of a standard three-to-four-year term signals a potential reversal of progress on key SDGs. The Pentagon has confirmed her removal and the nomination of Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte as her replacement.

• Regression on SDG 5: The removal of a trailblazing female leader and her replacement by a male counterpart is perceived by many female graduates as a significant setback for gender equality. Concerns were raised that the move is politically motivated by an agenda to counter diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which are fundamental to achieving both SDG 5 and SDG 10.
• Erosion of Institutional Strength (SDG 16): The unusual and abrupt nature of the leadership change raises questions about the institution’s stability and susceptibility to political influence. The lack of a clear official explanation for the reassignment contributes to an atmosphere of uncertainty and undermines the principles of transparent and accountable governance central to SDG 16.
• Perceived Motivations: Alumnae have attributed the decision to an administrative effort to project a specific “macho warfighter image,” potentially at the expense of inclusive leadership that reflects the diversity of the armed forces. This perception suggests a policy shift away from the inclusive principles embodied in the SDGs.

Conclusion

The tenure of Vice Adm. Yvette Davids at the U.S. Naval Academy initially represented a landmark achievement for Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 10. However, her tumultuous term and premature removal highlight significant challenges to maintaining progress in gender equality and institutional integrity. The events suggest that advancements in these areas remain vulnerable to political shifts, potentially undermining the stability, inclusivity, and accountability of vital national institutions as envisioned in SDG 16.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is the appointment and subsequent removal of Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, the “first female superintendent” in the U.S. Naval Academy’s history. This directly relates to women’s representation in leadership roles within major public institutions.
• The disappointment expressed by female alumni, who saw Davids as a “trailblazer at a male-dominated institution,” highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality. One alumna states, “They think that women can’t be warriors,” pointing to gender-based discrimination.
• The article mentions a “doubling of sexual assaults at the academy,” which is a critical issue related to eliminating violence against women.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article notes that Davids was not only the first woman but also the “first Hispanic person to serve as superintendent.” Her removal is perceived by an alumna as a setback for broader progress: “It feels like all the progress that women and minorities have made is now being backpedaled.”
• The discussion of the Trump administration’s effort to “purge the armed forces of diversity, equity and inclusion” directly addresses policies that affect inequality based on gender and race.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article examines the governance and stability of a key national institution, the Naval Academy. The politically motivated nature of Davids’ removal (“I don’t see how this could be anything but politically motivated”) and the hold on her initial confirmation by a senator point to challenges in ensuring responsive and inclusive institutions.
• The “ban on more than 400 books at the school’s library” is a direct issue of public access to information and the protection of fundamental freedoms within an institution.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article is set within a tertiary educational institution. The leadership turmoil, the controversy over replacing the board, and the banning of books all impact the educational environment, culture, and quality of education provided to the midshipmen.
• The book ban directly affects the resources available for learning and the promotion of a wide range of ideas and knowledge, which is a component of quality education.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The article is centered on Davids’ position as the first female leader of the Naval Academy and her premature removal, which alumni feel curtails women’s leadership opportunities.
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The mention of a report showing a “doubling of sexual assaults at the academy” directly relates to this target of eliminating violence, specifically within an institutional setting.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. Davids’ appointment as the “first female” and “first Hispanic” superintendent represented progress toward this target. Her removal is seen as a reversal, with an alumna stating, “It feels like all the progress that women and minorities have made is now being backpedaled.”
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. The article suggests Davids’ removal was part of an “effort to purge the armed forces of diversity, equity and inclusion,” which is a direct challenge to this target.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The removal of the first female and Hispanic superintendent for what are perceived as political reasons (“a Trump-era change”) challenges the principle of inclusive and representative leadership in public institutions.
2. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The “ban on more than 400 books at the school’s library” is a direct example of an issue related to this target.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Indicator for Target 5.5: The proportion of women in leadership positions. The article provides a clear data point: the number of female superintendents at the Naval Academy went from zero to one with Davids’ appointment, and her removal signals a return to zero, marking a negative change.
2. Indicator for Target 5.2: Prevalence of violence against women. The article explicitly mentions a “report showing a doubling of sexual assaults,” which serves as a direct, though negative, indicator of progress in creating a safe environment.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Indicator for Target 10.2: The representation of minority groups in leadership. The article identifies Davids as the “first Hispanic person to serve as superintendent.” Her presence and subsequent removal are indicators of the level of inclusion for ethnic minorities in high-level positions.
2. Indicator for Target 10.3: Perceptions of discrimination. The quotes from alumni like Marjorie Morley Bachman (“I don’t see how this could be anything but politically motivated”) and Maureen Kane (attributing the move to a purge of DEI) serve as qualitative indicators of perceived discriminatory practices.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Indicator for Target 16.10: The number of restrictions on access to information. The article provides a specific number: the “ban on more than 400 books,” which serves as a quantifiable indicator of restrictions on fundamental freedoms within the institution.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: thebaltimorebanner.com