On January 14, Capitol Technology University was honored to receive a visit from the US Space Command (USSPACECOM) Joint Education Branch, Joint Training and Education Division located in Colorado Springs, CO. Their visit included discussions and lab tours with our ASE Program Director Jeff Volosin, Dr. Najam Hassan and Dr. Andrew Mehri from our Computer Science Program, and Adjunct Professor Dr. Rick Hansen. The discussions focused on how Capitol Tech’s programs in Astronautical Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence are teaching skills that map well to Space Command needs.
Exploring Collaborative Opportunities with USSPACECOM
Chief of the Joint Training & Education Division, Michael Madsen, as well as Program Managers Michael McKenzie Sr., Ph.D. and Amanda Mullins, joined us to discuss the key initiatives and efforts of the Joint Education Branch; especially the Academic Engagement Enterprise (AEE). The mission of USSPACECOM is to conduct operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners.
The USSPACECOM's AEE Goals for 2025 support this mission by shaping the space workforce and strengthening relationships through direct academic engagements at colleges and universities, accelerating space applied research and innovation, expanding and connecting space-focused academic and analytic partnerships, and continuing to grow a space coalition through dialogue with universities and academic institutions.
As stated by General Stephen Whiting at the most recent AEE Fall Symposium, “we look to the academic community to help us in research areas we believe will be increasingly relevant in the future of the space domain," including the areas of dynamic space operations, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
To complete these initiatives, the USSPACECOM’s Joint Education Branch seeks collaborative opportunities with parallel agencies and educational institutions, such as Capitol Technology University, that can contribute to strengthening the space workforce through thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and producing high-quality applicants. Currently, the USSPACECOM is aiming to fill approximately 1,600 – 1,800 roles with qualified individuals for their missions and administration.
Careers with USSPACECOM
The USSPACECOM encourages students and professionals who are interested in working for their agency to explore the many opportunities they have to offer. Their job listings can be found on the USAJobs site, as well as on their LinkedIn and Facebook platforms, and they encourage following their accounts for the latest news.
Capitol Tech and USSPACECOM: Looking Forward
Capitol Technology University and the USSPACECOM are looking forward to exploring the profound ways in which we can collaborate to the benefit of our students and engaging the wider community. In 2023, our university was visited by USSPACECOM’s Colonel Douglas Drake, Ph.D. to announce that our institution had been selected for full membership with the AEE. This year, initiatives will expand to include internship programs, training workshops, and speaking engagements to be announced soon. Capitol Tech will also be exploring the intersecting fields of space, AI, and cybersecurity during our inaugural GreyCon conference in July, and we invite interested members of the community to join us for this exciting event.
To learn more about the U.S. Space Command, visit their website.
For more information on Capitol Tech’s Astronautical Engineering program, visit our website.
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