U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy is evolving its academic structure to maintain its academic programs’ relentless focus on mission through three operational priorities: Forging Warfighters to Win, Inspiring Leaders of Character and Quality, and Motivating Critical Thinkers to Adapt, and align the Academy’s structure, governance, and resources directly with the future needs of the Air Force and Space Force.

To achieve this, the Academy is executing several key changes. Beginning Aug. 5, the Dean of Faculty organization will be designated also as the Academic Wing. While the statutory “Dean of the Faculty” title will be retained in recognition of the position’s leadership of the Academy’s academic community, the position will also adopt the “Academic Wing Commander” title in recognition of its responsibility for the academic mission. In alignment with broader higher education standards, the senior academic leader will be authorized to concurrently use the title of “Provost.”

Additionally, the realignment, aimed at ensuring new officers are ready to lead in a complex, contested environment from Day One, structurally aligns the Academy’s academic enterprise with its military mission, establishing four interdisciplinary schools, including a School of Integrated General Studies to serve as the institutional home for the core curriculum. Under this framework, these schools will be led by Deans who will serve concurrently as Group Commanders with command authority.

The move is designed to intentionally and structurally connect the liberal arts, STEM, and warfighting instruction. This will be achieved through the four-school model: the School of Integrated General Studies, the School of Integrated Engineering Sciences, the School of Integrated Basic Sciences, and the School of Integrated Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

“This evolution builds on a long-standing record of academic excellence,” said U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind. “To ensure the Academy remains the nation’s premier military service academy and preeminent commissioning source for the Department of the Air Force, academic programs must have a relentless focus on the mission. USAFA is not moving away from the liberal arts or STEM; rather, the Academy is integrating them more deliberately to develop citizens, warfighters, leaders, and critical thinkers who understand what they are fighting for, who are technically literate in the tools of modern warfare, and who carry the moral seriousness the profession of arms demands.”

The new structure strengthens governance across 20 separate departments and empowers school-level leadership to better align resources, faculty development and curriculum with the Academy’s core priorities. This organizational realignment sets the table for potential future changes and forthcoming academic policies, establishing a structured path to achieve increased academic excellence across the enterprise.

“The demands of modern warfare are inherently multidisciplinary,” said Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. James Valpiani, who will serve as the institution’s future Academic Wing Commander. “Our graduates must be able to connect what they know across fields, to judge well under pressure, and to understand what they are fighting for. An education delivered in disconnected pieces will not form the judgment they need to deter conflict or, if necessary, to prevail in combat.”

“Coherence must be built on purpose; that is the objective of our realignment,” he continued. “It structures the academic enterprise so that what we teach is integrated by design, ordered toward the profession of arms and reflective citizenship, and held to an academic standard worthy of the Airmen and Guardians our graduates will lead.”

 Academy officials emphasized that the statutory role of the Dean of the Faculty remains and that the core of what makes a U.S. Air Force Academy education unique—its blend of military training, academic rigor, and highly competitive athletics—is only being strengthened by this evolution to ensure the Academy remains the preeminent commissioning source for the Department of the Air Force.

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Space Base Delta 1 held a Change of Responsibility ceremony July 27, 2026, at Peterson Space Force Base, officially transferring the duties of SBD 1 Command Senior Enlisted Leader from Chief Master Sgt. Martha Burkhead to Chief Master Sgt. Sarah Williams.

The traditional military ceremony symbolized the formal transfer of authority, accountability, and leadership between senior enlisted leaders, ensuring the continuous readiness and mission effectiveness of SBD 1.

Burkhead relinquished responsibility after serving as the command senior enlisted leader since August 2024. During her tenure, Burkhead successfully guided 18 congressional visits, securing $152 million in end-of-year funds, which culminated in the execution of a $1.2 billion budget that improved weapon system infrastructure and drove a $23 million housing renovation, ultimately earning the Space Force’s Housing Excellence Award and the Department of the War’s 2025 Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. She will now retire after 27 years of dedicated service to the nation.

Williams officially assumed responsibility during the ceremony, arriving at SBD 1 from Buckley Space Force Base in Denver, where she served as Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Reconnaissance Office's Mission Operations Directorate and the Aerospace Data Facility – Colorado. Williams brings 22 years of military experience to the role.

The ceremony was attended by the SBD 1 Commander, Col. Kenneth Klock, base personnel, and distinguished guests.

Space Base Delta 1 delivers world-class weapon-system infrastructure and combat support that enables the Space Force, Joint Partners, and Allies to execute global multi-domain and homeland defense operations.

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For questions or comments, please contact Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs at: SBD1.PA@spaceforce.mil

Colorado Area Health Education Center (COAHEC) will welcome approximately 60 rural and underrepresented high school students from across Colorado to the 2026 HOPE Institute, a weeklong healthcare career exploration camp held at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Now through Saturday, August 1, students will participate in hands-on healthcare activities, learn from healthcare professionals, and explore educational and career pathways in medicine and other health professions. Through immersive programs, mentorship, and hands-on learning, the HOPE Institute helps build a stronger healthcare workforce for rural and underserved areas of Colorado.

We would be pleased to coordinate an opportunity for media to:

• Observe and photograph or record students participating in hands-on healthcare activities.

• Interview students about their interest in healthcare careers and their camp experience.

• Speak with camp leaders, CU School of Medicine faculty and healthcare professionals about the

importance of reaching rural and underrepresented students.

What: Media opportunities during the 2026 HOPE Institute, featuring hands-on healthcare career

exploration for approximately 60 Colorado high school students.

Who: HOPE Institute students, camp leaders, CU faculty and participating healthcare professionals.

When: Media opportunities are available throughout the week:

• Monday, July 27 – UCCS University Hall: (Nursing)

• Tuesday, July 28 – CU Anschutz Medical Campus: (Pharmacy, emergency medical services and

writing workshop)

• Wednesday, July 29 – UCCS Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center: (Athletic training,

exercise science and anatomy)

• Thursday, July 30 – CU Anschutz Medical Campus: (Neuroscience, Anatomy in Clay and dental

medicine)

• Friday, July 31 – UCCS University Center: (Student mock healthcare conference)

Where: University of Colorado Colorado Springs and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Specific locations and access details will be coordinated based on the selected day and activity.

About Colorado AHEC

Colorado AHEC (COAHEC) recruits, develops, and supports current and future healthcare professionals

while strengthening community outreach and engagement to improve access to quality care in Colorado’s

rural and underrepresented communities.