Ceremony held Monday welcomes new Air Force Academy Dean of Faculty

Ceremony held Monday welcomes new Air Force Academy Dean of Faculty

The Air Force Academy has a new Dean of Faculty. A ceremony was held Monday to welcome in Colonel (Col.) James Valpiani. Watch News5's coverage of when Col. Valpiani was announced as the new Dean of Faculty below:Col. Valpiani is a 2004 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduate, who wascommissioned as the top graduate in the overall order of merit. He has also flown in nearly 100 combat missions.USAFA says Col. Valpiani replaces Col. Stev…

Brig. Gen. Valpiani Assumes Command as Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty

(USAFA) Brig. Gen. James M. Valpiani became the Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty during a ceremony in Fairchild Hall, March 16, 2026. “He brings stellar academic credentials, impressive operational experience and outstanding leadership acumen to our Dean of Faculty in order to elevate academics here at our Academy,” said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, who presided over the ceremony. Brig. Gen. Valpiani graduated from the U.S…

Brig. Gen. Valpiani Assumes Command as Academy's 12th Dean of the Faculty • United States Air Force Academy

Chief Master Sgt. Micheal Dederich (left to right), Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Col. Steven C. M. Hasstedt, and Brig. Gen. James M. Valpiani stand at attention during the playing of the The Star-Spangled Banner at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s dean of the faculty change of command, here March 16, 2025. During the ceremony Brig. Gen. Valpiani became the Academy’s 12th Dean of the Faculty after taking command from Col. Hasstedt. Photo by Trevor Coke…