In this issue, The AFIT Foundation will be recognizing Ms. Melinda Tourangeau, Doctoral Student, Senior Writer, Strategic Communicator, Vice President and Co-Founder of Warrior Support Solutions, LLC, and Member of the Board of Trustees at
the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame.

Ms. Tourangeau received her M.S. in Electrical Engineering (ENP) from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1992. She joined the military due to her desire to pursue Electrical Engineering, and majored in electro-optics and semiconductor physics while at AFIT. After a 35-year career in the U.S. Air Force and defense industry, Ms. Tourangeau transitioned into content strategy, executive writing, and thought leadership. She is now pursuing a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership (DSL). Ms. Tourangeau lightheartedly jokes that her favorite memory at AFIT was graduating. She fondly remembers getting accepted to the ENP school, and she enjoyed her major and thesis topic very much. Her thesis work addressed a Russian spatial light modulator, modeling the mathematical electrical response equations in MatLAB. She still has a hard copy of her thesis and is amazed at what she accomplished. AFIT taught Ms. Tourangeau how to think deeply. It sharpened her critical thinking and gave her the confidence to take on tough challenges, including a second master’s degree and now, her doctorate. Her experience at AFIT shaped how she approaches problems to this day and gave her a sense of pride that has stayed with her through everything she has done over the last 32+ years. She writes, “all I can say is, ‘Thank you, AFIT!’”

When asked about what advice she would give to those considering going into the military, Ms. Tourangeau says to go in with your whole heart. It will shape you, challenge you, and give you purpose like nothing else. Thank you, Ms. Tourangeau!