The Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution’s (AFIT/CI) Education With Industry (EWI) fellows recently concluded their 10-month career development experience with Google Public Sector. The team of included (left to right): Maj. Kebin Umodo, Megan Hoffman (program manager, Google Public Sector), Capt. Brad Worley, Dr. Maria Vicente Bonto-Kane, Ms. Sierra Hunter, Capt. Sherry Meadows, Capt. Kelly-Herard, and Capt. Hyun “Peter, Kim. (Google contributed photo)

The Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution’s (AFIT/CI) Education With Industry fellows (EWI) recently concluded their 10-month career development experience with Google Public Sector.

The team of seven were composed of five Air Force officers and two civilians. EWI fellows had direct exposure to Google’s world-class cloud infrastructure for developing skills and expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence and Large Language Models (LLMs), data science, various acquisition strategies, cybersecurity, and communications.

The ultimate goal of the EWI program is to develop Air Force leaders with the essential skills for incorporating the lessons learned in industry within the AF.

Additionally, five EWI fellows were able to participate in the Google London Cloud Hackathon. The team did well and received a badge of merit for their group standing.

The Air Force Institute of Technology’s Civilian Institution’s (AFIT CI's) Education With Industry (EWI) Fellows recently concluded their 10-month career development experience with Google, Inc. Five of the EWI fellows that participated in the Google London Hackathon are pictured left to right: Maj. Kebin Umodo, Capt. Amber Kelly-Herard, Ms. Sierra Hunter, Dr. Maria Vicente Bonto-Kane and Capt. Hyun “Peter” Kim.  (U.S. Air Force Photo)

“It was a tremendously wonderful, insightful career broadening experience and I would recommend the fellowship to anyone who is able to compete and be awarded it,” said Dr. Maria Vicente Bonto-Kane, computer scientist, Air Combat Command (ACC).

AFIT CI’s EWI program is a highly selective, competitive career development program designed to improve the technical, professional and management abilities of participating students by collaborating with top tier public and private sector companies.

“The EWI fellowship fosters a crucial skillset for bridging the gap between public and private sectors, empowering participants to bring back fresh perspectives, cultivate a culture of agility and continuous improvement, and ultimately contribute to the Air Force’s strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving global landscape,” said Capt. Brad Worley, EWI Google Public Sector fellow, and chief of cyber, digital and AI programs, Air Force Test and Evaluation.

Officers or civilians interested in learning more about the EWI program are encouraged to visit the AFIT CI webpage for more information: https://www.afit.edu/CIP/page.cfm?page=1567

AFIT’s CI program is responsible for placing selected Air Force officers, enlisted members, and civilians at accredited civilian universities, hospitals and leading industries to pursue advanced degrees and programs. For more information, please contact: AFIT.CIWorkflow@us.af.mil or visit www.afit.edu/CIP

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Dayton, Ohio. WPAFB is the location of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) headquarters, a world-class laboratory research function, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), life cycle management of Air Force weapon systems from inception to retirement and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)/National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC).

AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision of leading defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. Please visit the AFIT webpage for more information: https://www.afit.edu/