Mike Van Valkenburg currently serves as a Professor of Practice at Rensselaer Polytechnic University’s Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. He retired from active duty on 1 September 2018 as the Permanent Professor & Head, Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. He led a 32-member team of chemistry faculty, researchers, & support professionals, educating over 1,400 future officers annually. He served as the Chair of the Basic Sciences Division, overseeing four academic departments. He was heavily involved in the Academy’s NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Program & served as the Academy’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) to the Mountain West Conference & the NCAA. General Van Valkenburg’s first sabbatical to the Pentagon encompassed Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics programs, science & engineering strategic career field management, & nuclear enterprise initiatives. His second sabbatical was as an American Council on Education Fellow at Purdue University. With a total of three tours at the Academy, he taught general, analytical, organic, physical, & environmental chemistry courses. Gen Van Valkenburg’s previous assignments included various bioenvironmental engineering & contingency medical operation responsibilities, supporting installation occupational health & environmental programs at both small & large Air Force medical treatment facilities, & civil engineering staff agencies