Wing members receive CCAF degrees

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen Razo
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Thirty-two members of the 944th Fighter Wing were recently awarded their Community College of the Air Force degrees. This year's class represents a 33 percent increase from last year.

"We have senior NCO's in this wing with baccalaureate and master's degrees," said Chief Master Sgt. Pablo Valverde, 944th Fighter Wing command chief. "The Community College of the Air Force should be an inspiration to all our Airmen thinking of higher education."

Staff Sgt. Zachary Astrup, 944th Security Forces Squadron fire team member, garnered this year's Air Force Association Pitsenbarger Award. The award provides a one-time grant of $400 to selected top enlisted personnel graduating from the CCAF who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree.

"I actually kept putting off CCAF because I thought I didn't have time for it," Sergeant Astrup said. "But when I really looked at it, I realized I was already half-way there because of my (upgrade training.)"

The selection for the award is determined by committee that considers job performance, scholastic achievement, education goals and leadership qualities.

Sergeant Astrup has already begun work on his baccalaureate degree in World Security and Strategic Studies through the University of Bellvue.

"I love it and the degree I am working on could lead me to an internship with an agency like the CIA," he said.

Sergeant Astrup isn't the only wing member pursing higher education.

"In speaking with some of the recent graduates, I asked them what their educational plans were and many said they wanted to continue their pursuit of a baccalaureate degree not only for themselves, but as an example to the younger Airmen," Chief Valverde said. "That can only inspire our Airmen to reach those goals and make us a smarter wing."

The 944th Fighter Wing CCAF graduates and their degree awarded are:

Chief Master Sgt. Richard Schuldt, Human Resource Management
Master Sgt. Jeffery Amburgey, Allied Health Sciences
Master Sgt. Michelle Harvey, Human Resource Management
Master Sgt. Anthony Simmons, Human Resource Management
Master Sgt. Jerry Taylor, Allied Health Sciences
Tech. Sgt. Tanya Edwards, Transportation
Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Love, Electronic Systems Technology
Tech. Sgt. Leslie Nichols, Surgical Services Technology
Tech Sgt. Erren Sennet, Construction Technology
Tech. Sgt. Michele Weaver-Williams, Human Resource Management
Staff Sgt. Zachary Astrup, Criminal Justice
Staff Sgt. Gehovana Ayala, Pharmacy Technology
Staff Sgt. James Borom, Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management
Staff Sgt. Rachael Burbridge, Allied Health Services
Staff Sgt. Devray Charlton, Human Resources Management
Staff Sgt. Michelle Deegan, Information Systems Technology
Staff Sgt. Thomas Gessner, Fire Science
Staff Sgt. Rose Henderson, Criminal Justice
Staff Sgt. Katie Leiler, Mental Health Sciences
Staff Sgt. Graciela Moreland, Information Management
Staff Sgt. Thonas Navarro, Air and Space Operations Technology
Staff Sgt. Christian Nerone, Logistics
Staff Sgt. William Ruiz, Vehicle Maintenance
Staff Sgt. Caroline Shelton, Logistics
Staff Sgt. Leah Taddei, Criminal Justice
Staff Sgt. Ramsay Tandal, Logistics
Staff Sgt. Olivia Wanzo, Allied Health Sciences
Senior Airman Nicole Lougheed, Logistics
Senior Airman Jennifer Seale, Criminal Justice
Senior Airman Ivonne Suarez, Criminal Justice