MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The Air University Board of Visitors met here Nov. 17-18 for their bi-annual review of Air University.
The board is an independent body appointed by the secretary of the Air Force and offers consultation to the Air University president and secretary of the Air Force on university programs and operations.
"I am gratified to see the level of commitment for and excitement over the directions we are headed as a university," said Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, president of Air University. "The fact that these outstanding educators, policy makers and entrepreneurs share in our enthusiasm for our university and its future lets me know that we are headed in absolutely the right direction. More than that, I am heartened to learn how broad the support is - across this nation - for our collective success."
According to the bylaws, BOV members are to review and consult on all aspects of Air University's program to include financial support, planning and evaluation processes, guidelines and procedures, the use of technology and educational programs and policies. After the review process, the board makes recommendations for improvement to not only Air University leadership, but to the secretary of the Air Force.
"The purpose of the board is to advise us," said Dr. Matthew Stafford, vice president for Air University Academic Affairs. "They are a group - a think tank if you will - that comes in and reviews our problems and offers us solutions."
This year, the BOV visit had a few firsts: It is the first year that Kwast sat in as commander and president of Air University, the first year Stafford attended as vice president for academic affairs, and the first year that break-out sessions were introduced into the agenda.
Break-out sessions were introduced to provide opportunities for BOV members to dive more deeply into the key challenges the university is facing.
During the sessions, the BOV members were asked to respond to four questions:
- How can Air University help the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force enhance character and ethics across the culture of the United States Air Force?
- How can Air University affect Air Force culture to expand diversity and inclusion?
- How can Air University enhance critical thinking?
- What is the value of regional civilian accreditation and how can Air University leverage its accreditation to serve the Air Force more effectively and efficiently?
"Air University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges, and that has a great deal of meaning to us," Stafford said. "It allows us to stand as equals with the academic partners we have across the southeast United States as well as with our local partners such as Auburn, Troy and Faulkner universities."
The break-out sessions not only initiated thought-provoking discussions, they also brought excitement to the board, said Stafford.
Through the many two-way discussions, BOV members were able to visualize both the transformation Air University is currently undertaking and the critical role Air University will have within the Air Force. The excitement was so contagious, said Stafford, that one board member who previously announced this would be his last year on the board due to commitments on other boards, revoked his resignation and said he would give up serving on other boards to remain on the AU BOV.
"I think the most important thing is that we're building excitement amongst those people who are partners, stakeholders and constituents - excitement over where this university is going to go and what this university is capable of delivering to the American people," he said. "The board was terrifically engaged from the start, and the board members each commented that it was one of the more exciting board meetings they have attended."
Board members serve for a period of no more than eight years and are nominated by present or former board members, Air University personnel or other Air Force personnel. Nominees are then vetted through the Air University president. Nominations are then presented to the secretary of the Air Force for selection.