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Air University’s AFIT graduates 181 students, strengthens Joint Force through technical expertise

Posted Monday, April 06, 2026

 



Air University’s Air Force Institute of Technology graduates and faculty pose for a photo at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 30, 2026. As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments, supporting more informed and effective decision-making. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)



The Air University’s Air Force Institute of Technology graduated 181 students during its March 2026 commencement ceremony, highlighting Air University’s role in developing technically advanced warfighters who can solve operational problems across the Joint Force. As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments, supporting more informed and effective decision-making. 

The graduating class included 127 Air Force officers, 10 U.S. Space Force officers, nine Army officers, four Marines, two enlisted Airmen and 18 Department of the Air Force civilians, along with international partners from Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Brazil and Israel. The diverse makeup reflects Air University’s role in developing joint and coalition warfighters capable of operating across domains and strengthening interoperability.

Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, commander and president of Air University, presided over the ceremony and emphasized AFIT’s role in developing technical expertise for the force. 

“AFIT is a unique institution,” Tulley said. “The mixture of air domain expertise, space expertise, technology paired with warfighting is unmatched anywhere in this world.” 

He said the impact of the institution extends beyond the classroom and continues with graduates as they move into operational assignments. 

“When a student goes off, a part of every instructor goes with them,” Tulley said.  “To the graduates, I don’t know if you realize it now, but the faculty and staff here, a part of all them is going with you.” 

Tulley encouraged graduates to carry that investment forward in their service. 

“Pay it forward to the nation, pay it forward with your service,” he said. “Pay it forward to make the next generation Airmen and Guardians better than we can ever be. That is how we remain the world’s greatest air and space force.” 


Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, Air University commander and president, speaks at the Air Force Institute of Technology commencement ceremony March 30, 2026, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 30, 2026. As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)


Distinguished Air Force guests in attendance included Chief Master Sgt. Raun Howell, Air University command chief, and Dr. Yolanda Williams, Air University provost and chief academic officer, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Luke C. G. Cropsey, military deputy for acquisition, technology and logistics, told graduates their education positions them to tackle some of the Department’s most complex challenges. 

“You are, in fact, the representative class of what it takes to bring a scholar and a warrior together in a way that propels us forward,” Cropsey said. 

He said AFIT graduates bring a combination of technical expertise and operational understanding that is critical to how the Air Force develops and delivers capability. 

“We’ve invested a lot of national treasure to make sure you have the tools, training and wherewithal to go into these highly technical spaces to figure out what ‘right’ really looks like,” he said. Cropsey also pointed to the growing complexity of today’s operating environment, noting that future challenges will demand leaders who can think critically, integrate systems and provide clear, actionable solutions. 

In his closing remarks, Cropsey highlighted distinguished AFIT graduate, General Bernard ‘Bernie’ Schriever, and his remarkable contributions to intercontinental ballistic missiles during the cold war and the inventor of systems engineering. 

“As you move into your careers, follow-ons, and jobs, the level of complexity that Schriever had to figure out when he invented systems engineering is ten-fold that today. The things that we’re asking you to figure out are the things that we need you to be able to figure out with the degrees we gave you while you were at AFIT,” said Cropsey. 

Through AFIT, Air University delivers advanced education and research that develops joint warfighters, supports operational problem solving and integrates capability across the enterprise. Graduates leave AFIT with more than advanced degrees. They bring the ability to apply technical knowledge in operational settings and support faster, better-informed decisions across the Joint Force, reinforcing Air University’s role as a trusted partner to leaders across the Department of the Air Force and the broader Joint Force. The following graduates met all degree requirements and were approved for their respective degrees: 

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

Master of Science (Applied Mathematics)

Mr. Trevor Cross 

Captain Ray Raymon Freeze 

Major Travis J. Salter (US Space Force)

 

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING


Master of Science in Computer Engineering

Mr. Ryan Bradley Bazzell 

Mr. Joseph Lisle Drury 

Captain Robert M. H. Kramer 

Mr. Joseph Rabaut 

Second Lieutenant Mason Scott Rolph

Second Lieutenant Marcus Allen Sander


Master of Science (Computer Engineering)

Second Lieutenant Sophie Briann Callahan

Mr. Michael Vincent Smith* 

 

Master of Science (Computer Science)

First Lieutenant Abdullah Khalid A. Albrethen (Royal Saudi Air Force)

Captain Don Ellington 

Captain John Henry Hardy VI 

Mr. Joel Hottinger 

Second Lieutenant Kai Kam 

Second Lieutenant Kayleb Klapp

Second Lieutenant Matthew Mendoza

Captain Sanford Lorin Threlkeld

Second Lieutenant Grace Theresa Treanor

Second Lieutenant Kevin Michael Trigg

Second Lieutenant Meilyn Jade Wong

Captain Dalton Kueter Woods 

First Lieutenant Jiwoon Yim 

 

Master of Science (Cyber Operations)

Captain Tyler Bertles (US Army)

Major Benito Augusto de Laia Silva (Brazilian Air Force)

Captain Jacob Daniel Dimmitt 

Captain Reid B. Hessman 

Major Renan Machado de Oliveira (Brazilian Air Force)

Captain Alexander P. Mundy 

Captain César T. Ramirez-Thatcher

 

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Mr. Ethan Bolt 

Second Lieutenant Aaron James Bonner

First Lieutenant Dylan Michael Bott

Captain Victoria Crowder 

Captain Woodson T. Culp 

 Captain Noah Tyler Frandsen 

First Lieutenant Jeremiah Ryan Carlucci Gaulding (US Space Force)

Captain Jeremy Steven Germenis (US Space Force)

Mr. Ethan D. Hays 

Captain Noah Christopher Holston

Captain Bradley Lemon 


Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Cont.)

Captain Naaman Eliseo Morales

First Lieutenant Seth Porter Myers

Second Lieutenant Hilary Tran Nolen

Captain Kojo Otoo 

Second Lieutenant Joshua Pigg

Second Lieutenant Caleb Joshua Stilp

First Lieutenant Ethan J. Ward

Captain Minjong Yoon 

 

Master of Science (Electrical Engineering)

Captain Sebastián Cifuentes Valdebenito (Chilean Air Force)

Captain William A. L. Helms 

Captain Laine Grace Jeston-Fenton (Royal Australian Air Force)

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS

 

Master of Science (Applied Physics)

Second Lieutenant Grant Christopher Ferry

Captain Sharjeel Hyder 

Captain Lucas N. Kulesza 

Mr. Travis Morris 

Mr. John Norton* 

Mr. Robert J. Von Holle* 

Mr. Jaden Woodward* 

 

Master of Science (Atmospheric Science)

Mr. Daniel E. Haegele* 


Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering

Captain Samuel Joseph Foster 

Major Scott M. Lorette (US Army)

Mr. Richmond J. McDonald 

Mr. Josten M. Meade 

Captain Eric James Plummer 

Major Rafael Antonio Polo (US Army)

Major Zachary O. Priday (US Army)

 

DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONAL SCIENCES

 

Master of Science (Data Science)

Captain Kyle P. Daley 

Major Daniel Patrick Delaney 

Second Lieutenant Emma Finch 

Captain Tristan Henry Alaric Godbold (US Army)

Captain Edward P. Lara (US Army)

Second Lieutenant Christopher M. Rafnson

Captain Benjamin Shinskie 

Master Sergeant Andrew Swanson

Second Lieutenant Lyssa Avery White

 

Master of Science (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)

Captain Michael J. Bechtel Jr.

Captain Daniel W. Schott 

Major Joseph Paul Spletzer 

 

Master of Science (Operations Research)

Captain Addison M. Bieger (US Army)

Second Lieutenant Rebecca Lynn Daniels

Captain Luke A. Grossmann (US Army)

Captain Jordan A. Hartwig (US Army)

Second Lieutenant Vada Jeanette Kirsch

Major Dor Kleinfeld (Israeli Air Force)

Captain Alexander M. Mallory 

 

DEPARTMENT OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT


Master of Engineering 

(Applied Systems Engineering)

Captain William T. Compton 

Major Justin Anton Happ 

Mr. Sayxue John Ly 

Mr. Prithvijeet Shaha 

Captain Trenton Mitsugi Shimata**

Captain Adam Simmons 

Mr. Shawn Watkins* 

 

Master of Science (Acquisition and Program Management)

Captain Kyle S. Broekhuis 

First Lieutenant Alek Timothy Downs

Major Keah Giavanni Gee 

First Lieutenant Jordan Anthony Graham

First Lieutenant Tevin Miller

Captain Matthew Griffin Papandrea

Captain Robert Saite 

Captain Mitchell Stephen Wade

 

Master of Science (Cost Analysis)

Captain Benjamin L. Ainsworth

First Lieutenant Joshua A. Band

Captain John Christopher Hernandez

Captain Megan Michelle Keene 

Captain Brian M. Lewis 

Second Lieutenant Austin Jayke Romanov

Second Lieutenant Jocelyn Claire Ruiz

Captain Jacob William Saripkin

 

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Captain Evert June Chung 

Second Lieutenant Kadyn Jacob Craigle

Captain Jacob Andrew Daum (US Marine Corps)

Captain Nicole A. Demoret 

Captain Brian James Fink 

Second Lieutenant Jeremiah Michael Garcia

Captain Jon-Scot B. Gilstrap 

Captain Tabatha Harumi Herzig

Captain Alex Davis Kincaid 

Captain Austin Colin Koch 

Second Lieutenant Alise Nichole MacDonald

Second Lieutenant Christian Mae Y. Malacas

Captain Andrea Rake 

Captain Ryan Rettig 

Captain Miriansky Rivas Ramos


Master of Science in Engineering Management (Cont.)

Captain Calvin Chae Ross 

Captain Trenton Mitsugi Shimata**

Second Lieutenant Colin Gerard Sistrunk

Captain Kelsee Rae Stevens 

Second Lieutenant Caroline Kay Weeren

 

Master of Science (Engineering Management)

Captain Omar Luis Campos (US Marine Corps)

Captain Malachijah Clark (US Marine Corps)

Second Lieutenant Kaitelyn Jihan Haynes

Major Andrew Michael Sumner 

 

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

First Lieutenant Adrianna Alecia Blenkush

Captain Matthew D. Burchill 

Captain Patrick Ryan Dougherty

Mr. Benjamin Mark Francis 

Major Carlos James Horner 

First Lieutenant Connor Martin

Captain Patrick Daniel McVey 

Mr. Daniel Cooper Merrell 

Second Lieutenant Elizabeth Ream Van Caster

First Lieutenant Jimmy Xiao 

Second Lieutenant Corinne Yorkman

 

Master of Science (Systems Engineering)

Captain Elizabeth Anne Archer

Captain Ayelet Blank-Koplon (Israeli Air Force)

 

DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS


Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering

Captain Thomas Charles Balaj 

Second Lieutenant Mabel Chui (US Space Force)

Second Lieutenant Amy Madelyn Cinnamon

Second Lieutenant Derek Daniel Dickenscheidt

Captain Bryce Nathaniel Graley


Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering (Cont.)

Captain Alex Harms 

Second Lieutenant John Harrison

Second Lieutenant Caleb Michael Christian Harrold

Second Lieutenant Bryce Helmer

Captain Matthew T. Knoedler 

Second Lieutenant Nicolas Medeiros

First Lieutenant Eva Medora Paleo

First Lieutenant Michael Francis Sweeney

Major Matthew Thompson 

First Lieutenant Alex R. Thordson

Second Lieutenant Luke Alexander Wells

Mr. Christopher Weir 

 

Master of Science (Aeronautical Engineering)

Captain Tanner Scott Barber (US Marine Corps)

 

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering

Second Lieutenant Edward Blaney

First Lieutenant Ryan Collins

Captain James Quincy Mostek (US Space Force)

Second Lieutenant David Noh (US Space Force)

Captain Colin James Pate 

Second Lieutenant Elliot Potter (US Space Force)

Captain Zachary Scott Randall

Second Lieutenant Paul Marcus Rickershauser (US Space Force)

Mr. Gabriel James Scheer-Scherer

Captain Cole Turner 

Second Lieutenant Peter Joseph Van Cise

Captain Dylan Viveros (US Space Force)

 

Master of Science (Astronautical Engineering)

Captain Pablo Andrés Figueroa Toledo (Chilean Air Force)

 

Master of Science (Materials Science)

First Lieutenant Nicholas D. Garbinski

Captain Hassan Waheed Khokhar


Master of Science (Space Systems)

Second Lieutenant Conner Seamus O’Malley (US Space Force)

Senior Master Seargent Deng Gatkuoth Pour

Ms. Shelbie Lehto* 

First Lieutenant Matías Andrés Ramírez Cisternas (Chilean Air Force)

Captain Alonso Javier Vásquez Castañeda (Chilean Air Force)

*Return to Walk 

**Dual-degree graduate 

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 

Ms. Kara Lian Combs 

Lieutenant Colonel William Harrell*

Ms. Rachel A. Heffner 

*Return to Walk

 

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