FlashAlertCS - Press Releases

U.S. Air Force Academy Ranked Among Nation's Best
US Air Force Academy - 09/22/26 10:58 AM

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top undergraduate colleges, earning 11 spots on the latest U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings, released online today.

Key Highlights:

#3 Top Public School: The Academy consistently has been ranked as a top school for the past 18 years.
Engineering Programs: The Academy's engineering programs continue to dominate, securing top rankings amongst schools where a doctorate is not offered:
- #4 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
  - #3 Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical Engineering
  - #6 Civil Engineering
  - #6 Electrical / Electronic / Communications Engineering
  - #9 Mechanical Engineering

“This recognition reflects the sustained excellence and commitment of our faculty and academic staff over many years,” said Academy Provost Brig. Gen. James Valpiani. “Their work has built an institution of exceptional academic strength.”

Building on that foundation, the Academy is transforming its academic program to become increasingly distinctive to the missions of the Air Force and Space Force.

“These rankings are a meaningful external measure of excellence, but they also point to a larger purpose: forming citizens, leaders, warfighters and scholars with the knowledge, judgment, character and habits of thought required to serve the nation,” said Valpiani. “That requires a rigorous, integrated general education for every cadet, deep study in a major, and the ability to reason across disciplines to address complex problems of modern war and peace.”

The Academy will continue to build on its record of academic excellence as it shapes an education designed for the distinctive responsibilities its graduates will assume in service to the nation.

U.S. Air Force Strategic Communication, USAFA.Media@us.af.mil, 719-333-7731

Permalink | US Air Force Academy

Galileo and Joint Initiatives Open Food Pantry and Community Garden for Families (Photo)
Colorado Springs SD 11 - 09/21/26 8:30 AM

CommunityGarden.jpeg

Colorado Springs School District 11 and Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families invite members of the media to visit Galileo Middle School on Friday, September 25, to see a new food pantry and community garden serving local families.

The resources represent the continued growth of the partnership between Galileo and Joint Initiatives and the shared vision of making the school a broader hub of support for students, families and the surrounding community.

The welcoming, market-style pantry offers fresh produce, bread and other household food staples. The Ascend community garden provides an additional resource for families and supports the partnership’s focus on access, connection and community well-being.

Representatives from Galileo, District 11 and Joint Initiatives will be available to provide a tour and discuss how the partnership has developed and how families can access these resources.

WHEN:
Friday, September 25, 2026
Noon

WHERE:
Galileo Middle School
1600 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Galileo Middle School representatives
Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families representatives
Colorado Springs School District 11 representatives

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Fully stocked, market-style food pantry
Fresh produce and household food staples
Ascend community garden
Tour of the family resources available on the Galileo campus

Media planning to attend are asked to contact Jessica Wise at [PHONE/EMAIL]. Please check in at Galileo’s main entrance upon arrival.
Attached photos show the Galileo food pantry and are available for media use.
Photo credit: Joint Initiatives

Attached Media Files: CommunityGarden.jpeg , FoodPantry.jpeg , FoodPantry1.jpeg

Permalink | Colorado Springs SD 11

Galileo and Joint Initiatives Open Food Pantry and Community Garden for Families (Photo)
Colorado Springs SD 11 - 09/18/26 11:47 AM

Galileo Vegetables

Colorado Springs School District 11 and Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families invite members of the media to visit Galileo Middle School on Friday, September 25, to see a new food pantry and community garden serving local families.

The resources represent the continued growth of the partnership between Galileo and Joint Initiatives and the shared vision of making the school a broader hub of support for students, families and the surrounding community.

The welcoming, market-style pantry offers fresh produce, bread and other household food staples. The Ascend community garden provides an additional resource for families and supports the partnership’s focus on access, connection and community well-being.

Representatives from Galileo, District 11 and Joint Initiatives will be available to provide a tour and discuss how the partnership has developed and how families can access these resources.

WHEN:

Friday, September 25, 2026
Noon

WHERE:

Galileo Middle School
1600 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Galileo Middle School representatives
Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families representatives
Colorado Springs School District 11 representatives

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Fully stocked, market-style food pantry
Fresh produce and household food staples
Ascend community garden
Tour of the family resources available on the Galileo campus

Media planning to attend are asked to contact Jessica Wise at 719-640-2883 or Jessica.Wise@d11.org.
Please check in at Galileo’s main entrance upon arrival.

Attached photos show the Galileo food pantry and are available for media use.
Photo credit: Joint Initiatives

Attached Media Files: Galileo Vegetables , Food Pantry , Food Pantry

Permalink | Colorado Springs SD 11