CMSgt Cari D. Mujica
Chief Master Sergeant Cari D. Mujica serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services on all issues impacting the Education and Training Career Field, consisting of 2,500 Total Force Airmen. She leads the Air Force Advisory Training Group and works with Major Command Functional Managers to build the career field path and enlisted force development. In this capacity, Chief Mujica works with the 3F2X1 schoolhouse to implement course curriculum and oversees the continuum of learning for the career field. Additionally, she provides direct enlisted education and training guidance support to the CMSAF and other career field managers on career field training and overall heath for the career field.
MS. JULIE CANTWELL
Ms. Julie Cantwell is currently Director of Staff at Headquarters A2/6F, Readiness and Talent Management Directorate. In her previous role as the Technical Director for the 517th TRG at the Presidio of Monterey she provided innovative solutions to improve student outcomes for language learning Airmen. She has been working in education and training since 2003 when she became an adjunct faculty for language and communication courses at the National Cryptologic School. Her educational background includes a BA in Asian Studies, a MA in International Relations, and is currently a doctoral student at USC's Rossier School of Education completing her dissertation in Organizational Change and Leadership.
DR. J. ERIC DIETZ, PE
Dr. Dietz’s research interests include measurement and optimization of emergency response, homeland security and defense, energy security, and engaging veterans in higher education. As a Director of the Purdue Military Research Institute, Dr. Dietz organizes faculty to involve current and former military in Purdue research with focus on defense and security projects to increase Purdue’s involvement in national defense. As a Director of the Purdue Homeland Security Institute, Dr. Dietz organizes interdisciplinary homeland security research including increasing the impact of Purdue research on society, and organizing interdisciplinary projects within the university.
DR. SHARON HEILMANN
Dr. Sharon Heilmann is Chief, Development Division, National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), at Wright-Patterson AFB. Prior to joining Civil Service in 2020, she was a professor of Organizational Leadership and Director of the Leadership Development graduate program in the Department of Leadership Studies at Wright State University. Dr. Heilmann is an Air Force veteran with operational assignments at Robins, McGuire, and Kunsan Air Base, and faculty assignments at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Institute of Technology.
MS. AUDREY HERWIG MENDOZA
Ms. Herwig Mendoza serves as the Faculty Development Training Development Chief at Sheppard AFB. Her primary responsibilities include modern implementation of innovative modalities and media technologies while overseeing curriculum development for the following courses: Basic Instructor Course, Principles of Instruction, ADDIE, Instructional Systems Design (ISD), and Technical Writer. She has served nearly 20-years and over 10k teaching hours specializing in Student Centered Instructional strategies, delivery techniques, mentoring, coaching, and instructional course development.
MSGT JESSE HIGH
MSgt Jesse High is a career ground linguist for French, Arabic, and Swahili. In his previous assignment at the Defense Language Institute, he served as instructor, curriculum developer, and military director for academic standards for the Institute. He currently serves as the Military Lead for NSA’s Video, Imagery, Speech and Text Analytics (VISTA) Operations Team, connecting warfighters with supportive Human Language Technologies to enhance mission efficacy. He has a BA in Theoretical Linguistics from the Iowa State University.
MS. GEORGIA ISERI
Ms. Iseri serves as a Curriculum Development Manager for Sheppard AFB’s Faculty Development. Her responsibilities include strategic course development for the Basic Instructor Course, Principles of Instruction, ADDIE, Instructional Systems Design (ISD), and Technical Writer. She develops these courses with a focus on innovative instructional modalities and media technologies while incorporating student centered instructional strategies. Ms. Iseri uses her previous teaching experience to best fit Student Centered Instructional strategies into modern course development and implementation.
DR. JOSEPH F. PEKNY
Joseph F. Pekny is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University. Professor Pekny was a founding Director of Discovery Park and the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering at Purdue University. He has had numerous leadership roles at Purdue involving entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup of new activities. In addition, he cofounded and is currently CEO of Advanced Process Combinatorics, Inc. (APC) – a Purdue Research Park company. His research interests are in algorithm engineering for combinatorial optimization applications and in devising effective systems for translating research into practical impact. His work includes applications in algorithm architectures for practical applications, energy systems modeling, research pipeline management, manufacturing, and planning and scheduling.
DR. LEON L. ROBERT, BRIGADIER GENERAL, US ARMY (RETIRED)
Dr. Robert is Professor Emeritus, United States Military Academy, completing a distinguished 30+ year military career. He has executive, academic, and public health program management with global leadership experience in over 50 countries. His current position is Adjunct Professor at the Purdue Military Research Institute, Purdue University. PMRI emphasizes research on DoD-funded joint military projects at the very limits of technology. The mentors and educates military officers that participate in a one semester seminar course that explores emerging research and disruptive technologies with applications to the DoD, how this technology may be used in the Joint environment, and how to leverage innovation and entrepreneurship to improve strategic decision making.
MR. JAMES SCOTT
James Scott retired from the Air Force in 2021 as a Security Forces Director of Operations culminating a career of leadership that spanned more than 24 years of enlisted and commissioned service. He is currently in the dissertation phase of a PhD in Leadership Studies. His educational background includes undergraduate degrees in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice as well as master’s degrees in military studies (joint warfare), adult education (instructional and curriculum design), and criminal justice. Additionally, he “retired’ from the Civil Air Patrol in 2021 after more than 27 years of volunteer service, having spent most of those years teaching character development directly and indirectly to many of the 23K cadets ages 12-20.
MS. SHA’KEITHA TISCHLER
Ms. Tischler serves as an Instructor Supervisor in Faculty Development at Sheppard AFB. Her primary responsibilities include supervising instructor staff of 18 that is responsible for the implementation of student centered instruction in nine courses and multiple symposiums. She develops innovative learning environments and employs student center strategies assisting over 2K students per year. She has over 10-years’ experience in education ranging from military technical training and high school instruction to medical training facilitation.
MR. VINCENT VILLANUEVA
Mr. Villanueva began his federal career as an enlisted member in the Air Force when he arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas in June 1998 for basic training. During his active duty career, he earned two Community College of the Air Force degrees and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Upon separation from the Air Force in 2006, Mr. Villanueva spent three years teaching high school Language Arts and critical thinking, subsequently returning to Federal service with a training technician position at the 59th Training Group, Fort Sam Houston. In 2012, Mr. Villanueva earned a Master of Arts in Education degree. During his time at the 59th Training Group, he served in a variety of positions to include curriculum developer, Chief of Training Development, Training Manager, and Chief of Training Resources for various medical AFSCs. In 2016 Mr. Villanueva was transferred to HQ AETC to serve as a training pipeline manager for the technical training division, currently serving as the occupational competencies branch chief, Competencies Division.