MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James officially approved a Community College of the Air Force Subcommittee to the Air University Board of Visitors on July 1.
A team of three appointed board members traveled to CCAF on the Maxwell-Gunter Annex, Alabama, on July 26 to attend CCAFs Education Services Advisory Panel and gain an understanding of CCAF’s people, processes and mission.
“The CCAF Subcommittee was created to provide focused advice and recommendations directly to the Air University Board of Visitors concerning technical applied sciences degrees and undergraduate educational programs,” said Lisa Arnold, Air University’s Advisory Board chief.
Air University’s CCAF is the largest multi-campus community college in the world, with over 275,000 registered students. It is the only college in the DOD established by law solely for enlisted personnel. Its mission is to offer and award job-related associate-in-applied-science degrees and other academic credentials that enhance mission readiness, contribute to recruiting and retention, and support career transitions for Air Force enlisted members.
The CCAF Subcommittee will provide another avenue of communication between the college and Air Force senior leaders,” Arnold said. “The CCAF Subcommittee’s subject-matter experts and civic leaders will meet annually with the Secretary of the Air Force.”
The new AU/BOV CCAF Subcommittee will consist of five members. Three current AU BOV members include: The Chair, Dr. Rufus Glasper, President and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College; Dr. Judith Bonner, Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State; and former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley. The other two members are Dr. Edward Hodge, the Voluntary Education Operations Chief for Air Education and Training Command and current CCAF ESAP Chair; and Dr. Julia Crutchfield, Chief Learning Officer for Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center and current CCAF ASAP Chair.
“I really enjoyed meeting with the Community College of the Air Force,” Dr. Bonner said after the recent meeting. “I am so very impressed with Air University and CCAF. The commitment to the continuum of education is impressive. I am honored to serve on this Board.”
Arnold noted that AU leaders and the entire CCAF staff are excited at having this new advisory committee for the additional insights it will provide. The new subcommittee is set to have its first meeting at the CCAF facility in spring, 2017.
