Elizabeth Rich
Schertz,TX
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Training Operations (37 TRW/A3)
Department of the Air Force
06.2024 - Current
- SELECTED PARTICIPANT - HIGH POTENTIAL CIVILIAN (HPC) INITIATIVE - DAF (March 2025 - Present) Competitively selected for the Department of the Air Force's premier Force Support leadership development program. Engaged in executive-level mentorship, strategic project execution, and advanced leadership training aligned with the Force Support Enterprise Roadmap. Received targeted career development support, including resume reviews, career mapping, and enterprise networking. Tracked for developmental milestones and potential strategic placement under Command Functional Manager (CFM) guidance.
- LEAD EDUCATION ADVISOR Serves as principal education advisor to 37 TRW leadership, directing curriculum strategy and instructional policy aligned with evolving Air Force mission priorities. Spearheaded the creation and launch of the Warhawk Training Operations Bulletin and Warhawk Learning Community, including the innovative Morning Coffee Book Club, fostering wing-wide professional development and peer engagement. Provides critical guidance on lifecycle training system design, resulting in cost-effective programs grounded in occupational and cognitive performance analyses. Secured over $5.5M in T3 funding, with an additional $2M pending, through strategic planning and expert navigation of complex funding processes to support instructional innovation. Directed efforts to improve interservice training coordination by facilitating Joint Planning Process sessions and contributing key inputs to the BMT NEXT and PACER FORGE initiative. Applies learning engineering principles to propose new performance standards and validate instructional effectiveness, supporting data-driven program evolution. Champions the integration of cutting-edge multimedia tools and instructional technologies to prepare the technical service school for future training challenges. Collaborates with military leaders to identify learner needs, refine instructional objectives, and implement validated training materials that drive measurable improvements.
- STRATEGIC TRAINING POLICY ADVISOR Formulates broad education and training policies across four technical service groups, driving alignment with USAF training philosophy and command objectives. Champions curriculum modernization initiatives through high-impact proposals, improving instructional quality and ensuring program relevance to evolving operational demands. Serves as a strategic thought leader within key Operational Planning Teams (OPTs), including the 2AF CoE OPT, AETC/A5 XS TT Strategy Working Group, and Future of Tech Training OPT, shaping future training doctrine across the NAF. Played a key role in developing the 37th TRW Strategic Plan as part of the Commander's Action Group (CAG), contributing long-range planning expertise to advance Wing priorities. Hosted and coordinated the RAFF Validation team visit, ensuring full compliance with Presidential Executive Orders related to DEI, CRT, and gender ideology, while representing 37th TRW and 737th TRG with professionalism and integrity. Serves as training operations coordinator for 37th TRW, acting as primary POC for Management Internal Control Toolset (MICT) and ensuring Wing-wide compliance with Task Management Tool (TMT) taskers. Leads and verifies completion of the annual ETCA review in accordance with DAFMAN 36-2689, coordinating with CAG to ensure 100% compliance across all Wing organizations. Completed the DoD Operationalizing Women, Peace, & Security Level 100 Course, officially recognized as a member of the DoD Global WPS Advisory Workforce, contributing to inclusive military operations, strategic planning, and interagency gender integration initiatives.
- 37 TRW EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE Represents the technical service school in high-level forums across installation, MAJCOM, HQ USAF, DoD, and academic institutions to influence long-range education and training policy. Serves on interagency education committees and advisory panels, including the CCAF Affiliated Schools Advisory Panel, driving development and revision of educational policy for 100+ affiliated institutions. Initiates and leads special projects that advance institutional goals, establishing milestones, managing evaluation protocols, and producing actionable insights for command-level decisions. Resolves complex educational policy and implementation issues by evaluating reports, performing targeted research, and preparing comprehensive responses with senior-level recommendations. Facilitates enterprise collaboration and customer engagement, assessing satisfaction and aligning training programs with evolving operational and educational demands.
Chief, Faculty Development Flight
Department of the Air Force
02.2021 - 05.2024
- LEADERSHIP & STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT Directed overall planning, execution, and evaluation of 37th TRG Faculty Development operations, supporting ~1,600 joint-service personnel annually. Served as Training Development Chief, shaping strategic plans for course creation aligned with AETC and unit objectives. Held Vice Director role for the 37 TRW Training & Development Council; co-founded 'Warhawk University' to centralize and maximize learning resources across the Wing. Directed team during the 2022 CCAF Compliance Requirements Visit (CRV) inspection; achieved outstanding outcomes across all DOF courses and instructor records.
- PROGRAM EVALUATION & INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN Applied Kirkpatrick Four Levels principles to evaluate training programs across cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains. Developed feedback tools, facilitator guides, and post-course assessments to inform continuous improvement cycles aligned with organizational performance metrics. Led implementation of three new courses—ADDIE, Technical Writing, SC-AL-E, and Instructor Supervisor; validated 33 classes totaling 1,824 instructional hours.
- INNOVATION & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Designed and launched the 37 TRG CCAF/Non-CCAF Faculty Record Database, replacing STARS; trained 15-unit POCs and expanded its use to 82nd TRW and BAMC, eliminating $41K in Access programmer costs. Led classroom renovation initiative, transforming six rooms into active learning spaces; personally oversaw design, painting, furniture assembly, and tech installation, saving the DoD $10K in labor costs.
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP Directed professional development for team members; enforced quarterly IDP reviews and required two annual learning engagements per employee—totaling 1,000 PD hours. Authored 32 award packages and mentored noncommissioned officers and civilians, contributing to 20 successful nominations. Partnered with HQ AETC/A3B to mentor GS-1750 certification candidates at Defense Language Institute; guided 12 staff in credential development planning.
- COLLABORATION & EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT Represented Faculty Development Flight at conferences, seminars, and working groups. Contributed to the 2023 2AF Working Group; co-developed competency-based training standards for five faculty development courses impacting 4,500 AETC Learning Professionals. Facilitated workshops at the 2AF Fall Faculty Summit, increasing KSAs in competency-based education, assessments, and diversity integration. Served as inaugural AETC TEDx organizer, launching TEDxJBSALackland in 2021 and 2022; recruited 26 speakers and led event execution for 250 attendees.
- OPERATIONS & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Managed facilities, equipment, personnel, and funding in support of squadron training. Planned and executed programming initiatives supporting the TRG training manager and curriculum clusters.
- Awards: 37TRSS Team of the Year - 2022, 37TRSS Team of the Quarter - Q4 2021
Learning Design, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Department of the Air Force
10.2019 - 02.2021
- INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & LEARNING INNOVATION Served as an ISD consultant on online/in-residence education, instructional design, tech integration, and student-centered delivery. Led the development of two digital badges (LMS Instruction & XR Foundations) and created a Canvas-based mini-course for XR Foundations. Developed learning outcomes aligned with the 1750 Occupational Competency Model for the CFETP. Selected to facilitate sessions at the 2020 Air Force Learning Professionals Consortium on coaching, formative assessments, and student-centered instruction.
- RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & EVALUATION Led the 2020 AETC Learning Professionals Training Gap Analysis project, including survey design, data analysis, and gap identification. Provided detailed reports and performance metrics for AETC Priority T, recommending revisions to objectives and tasks. Participated in the LCMS working group, offering rubric-based decision-making support.
- PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Action Officer for AETC Priority T, supporting planning, briefings, and interagency coordination. Assisted Expeditionary Training Branch (A3 QE) with ERT Next Initiative, contributing to training construct design.
- COMPETENCY-BASED CAREER DEVELOPMENT Member of the 1750 CFETP working group, contributing to the first competency-based education and training plan. Voting member/SME for the 1750 STRT Workshop, developing competency assessments. Member of the 1750 Digital Badging Working Group under CRADA with Credly, Inc.
- COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH Spearheaded the A9 trifold brochure and designed the A9 logo. Authored articles for HQ AETC Force Development and A9 newsletters. Developed automated templates for the Air Force Learning Professionals Consortium 'Call for Topics' and 'Proposal Selection Rubrics', saving significant man hours.
- Awards: HQ AETC/A9 Civilian of the Year - Non-Supervisory Cat III - 2020, HQ AETC/A9 Civilian of the Quarter - Non-Supervisory Cat III - Jun 2020, HQ AETC/A9 Team of the Qtr Award Nominee - Sep 2020, HQ AETC/A2/9 Civilian of the Qtr Award Nominee - Non-Supervisory Cat III - Mar 2020
Adjunct Faculty
John F. Kennedy University
03.2013 - 01.2021
- TEACHING/FACILITATION Adjunct faculty in the undergraduate program in Liberal Studies. Responsible for development and delivery of classroom and online courses. Assists in the design and development of curricula and course material that take advantage of instructional technologies and apply the best practices in teaching and learning. Assesses students knowledgebase, identify their learning goals and develop lessons to meet the same. Received positive feedback from students due to highly effective instructional methods and professionalism. Courses include Global Politics (LIB4119), Social Issues and Policies Around the World (LIB3300), Research Writing (COR3145), Collaborative Problem Solving (COR4000), Ancient Warfare (HIS4002), American Military History (HIS4003), Theories of War & Conflict (HIS4001).
- CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT/DEVELOPER Acted as faculty subject matter expert consultant collaborating with Program Chair to create a Bachelor of Arts - History of Conflict degree program and completing WASC accreditation process. Involved in various phases of program development, including participating in the Advisory Committee for the Conflict Resolution Program, curriculum development, instructional design, program learning outcome rubric development, and course developer to build courses in learning management system. Develop syllabus and overall course structure, including designing course in eCollege and Blackboard. Assists in the selection of course materials, library holdings, instructional equipment and educational resources. Works collaboratively with the Program Director and academic support programs to collect and evaluate data in order to facilitate student success and strengthen the reputation of the university by promoting excellence through curriculum development and delivery.
- ADVISING/STUDENT SUPPORT Provide appropriate and effective instructions for learning activities that stimulate student involvement, encourage reflection and critical thinking, by taking into consideration different learning styles. Promote student empowerment through self-advocacy and strength awareness so to foster academic success. Support student learning outside of class through community learning and support services usage. Volunteer Faculty Advisor serving as the interface between Student Veterans of America and the University building a supportive collaborative community of support for student veterans.
- FACULTY/STAFF COLLABORATION Maintain effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, and external constituencies.
- NOTE: John F Kennedy University operations are closed as of January 1, 2021. JFKU programs have been administratively relocated to National University.
Curriculum Development Manager
Department of the Air Force
04.2018 - 10.2019
- CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Curriculum Development Manager designing, developing, and conducting programs of instruction for staff and faculty development. Confers with curriculum designers, course writers, instructors, and subject-matter specialists to coordinate instruction system analysis leading to the production of instructional materials. Plans, coordinates, designs and validates instruction programs for staff and faculty development. Develops, reviews, and revises instructional materials in accordance with established learning objectives. Assesses adequacy of product, need for revisions, and develops recommendations for improvement. Studies and analyses result in complete and full-length training products along subject matter or functional specialty area lines. Develops the plan and measurement devices for measuring achievement of instructional objectives. Reviews and validates measurement devices as well as measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of faculty instructional programs.
- Validated 150 class EOC surveys processing 100 feedback responses, utilizing feedback for improving subsequent course. Authored and designed new faculty develop course titled Enhance Learning & Instructional Techniques Enrichment course as a 5-day 40-hour continuation training course. Primary Curriculum Development Manager for ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate) and Career Development Course Writer (CDC).
- STAFF AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT Spearheaded creating a Faculty Development quarterly newsletter (Falcon Flyer) providing best practices for technical training within the 81st Training Group and the 81st TRSS Faculty Development monthly Brown Bag workshops covering topics related to instructor/curriculum development topics such as active learning, student-centered learning, and facilitating in the SCALE-UP classroom (6 SCALE-UP sessions - mentored 70 personnel). Represents 81st TRSS Faculty Development on University of Southern Mississippi partnership working group to provide self-development opportunities for staff and faculty members. Member of the Keesler AFB Civilian Development Working Group served as a mentor for the 2018 Keesler's Civilian Symposium, a five-day course, to help guide discussion, provide insight, and show support for the civilians enrolled in the course. Developed workshop (The Mindful Leader) for new Keesler AFB Civilian Leaders Course lauded by 81 MSG leadership.
- ISD CONSULTATION Coordinates with BIC CDM, SMEs, and IS in revising several lessons for the Basic Instructor Course adopting a student-centered learning approach to the course design incorporating active learning strategies to content delivery. Mentored instructor team in identifying and understanding SCL versus AL and how to facilitate in a SCL classroom. Designed architecture for BIC in Blackboard LMS transitioned material from the BIC student portal providing access to course material from any device with Internet access. Designed and created two interactive courseware videos for BIC ISD lesson to model flipped learning strategy in Block II. Provided teaching and learning expertise to 335 TRS/TRR Training Specialist/CDM on revising Initial Force Support Officer Course curriculum using a learner-centric approach for the design process resulting in student-centered POI/Lesson Plans that create an active-learning environment for student engagement and learning. Provided e-learning instructional design expertise to 335 TRS/TRR - Training Specialists regarding converting the 335th Weather Journeyman Course 5-Level CDCs to a E6 type course provided input on automating the process.
- Awards: Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award Medal, 81st Training Support Squadron Civilian of the Quarter (1st, 3rd & 4th) - Non-Supervisory Cat III 2018, 81st Training Group Civilian of the Quarter (4th) - Non-Supervisory Cat III 2018, 81st Training Support Squadron Civilian of the Quarter (4th) - Non-Supervisory Cat III
Community Readiness Specialist
Department of the Air Force
05.2017 - 04.2018
- Plan, implement, administer, and counsel on Airman and Family Readiness Center's (A&FRC) career, transition, relocation, family, and other work/life services and activities provided to military members, retirees, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian members, and their families. Facilitate and conduct individual consultations, classes, and workshops that provide information, improve skills by fostering competencies and coping skills, and offer short-term support and assistance when necessary.
- PERSONAL FINANCIAL READINESS COUNSELOR/FACILITATOR Provided services that support commanders in maintaining unit financial readiness to sustain deployments and to counsel and educate Service members and their Families on financial self-sufficiency. Designed and developed course materials for Personal Financial Management education classes incorporating blended learning instructional methodologies to educate service members topics such as budgeting, credit management, debt liquidation, financing college education, retirement planning, and insurance information. Facilitated financial education through briefings and classes in the units, at Transition GPS, FTAC, and special events for up to 50 participants per class. Provided a minimum of 50 individual client financial readiness consultations per month to include assistance with developing and sustaining a debt reduction plan, credit report review and repair, developing a monthly budget and spending plan, learning to recognize and prioritize spending, consumer advocacy, and assistance with handling consumer complaints to obtain an equitable resolution.
- ARMED SERVICES YMCA PROGRAM MANAGER Responsible for $78,000 budget and operations of Peep Drop and Teddy's Child Watch services. Managed six employees and four volunteers providing child watch services to military families securing services at Travis AFB Fitness Center and David Grant Medical Center. Ensured compliance with established installation and state regulations for child watch services.
Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act On-Site VA Benefits Advisor/Instructor/Site Lead
CACI Dynamic Systems
04.2015 - 03.2017
- Supervised VA Benefits Advisor team based at Travis Air Force Base providing on-going coaching to stay up to date on Department of Veterans Affairs programs. Reviewed, maintained and made readily available on-site reference materials for all VA Benefits and VA Programs in order to provide the highest quality service to the customer. Accomplished staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards. Routinely evaluate team training needs and adjusted staff development plans.
- Educated Service members and dependents on all VA Benefits and VA Programs available. Facilitated 960 individual assistance appointments assisting Service members and dependents apply online for VA Benefits and VA Programs to include completing VA web-based applications. On an individual case-by-case basis, provided tailored VA Benefits consultation to specifically address a particular Service member's or dependent's need. Provided follow-up on a case-by-case basis to ensure optimal outcomes.
- In a classroom/group setting, instructed approximately 8400 Service members and dependents during Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program workshop on all the VA Benefits and VA Programs for which a Service member and/or dependent may be eligible. Workshops delivered weekly at various military installations in Northern California and Northern Nevada for approximately 350 Service Members per month. Facilitate monthly Career Technical Training Track 2-day workshop for approximately 240 Service members pursuing career technical training after military service. Attendees received guidance and help in selecting technical training schools and technical fields. Guest facilitator at the monthly Accessing Higher Education track workshop coordinated by the Travis Air Force Base Education Center assisting Service members in identifying the education requirements that support their personal goals. This workshop focused on topics such as how to achieve academic success, how to research and compare institutions, and how to finance higher education.
Education
Technical or occupational certificate - Air War College
Air University Global College of PME (GCPME)
Maxwell AFB, AL08.2028
Technical or occupational certificate - Air Command Staff College
Air University Global College of PME (GCPME)
Maxwell AFB, AL11.2024
Technical or occupational certificate -
National University
San Diego, CA10.2024
Doctorate degree - Education (EdD) in Higher and Postsecondary Education
Argosy University
Phoenix, AZ08.2017
Master's degree - Adult Education & Distance Learning
University of Phoenix
Sacramento, CA06.2006
Master's degree - Global Management
University of Phoenix
Sacramento, CA08.2001
Bachelor's degree - International Relations
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA01.1999
Skills
- Curriculum design
- Training facilitation
- Team management
- Mentoring
Timeline
Chief of Training Operations (37 TRW/A3)
Department of the Air Force
06.2024 - Current
Chief, Faculty Development Flight
Department of the Air Force
02.2021 - 05.2024
Learning Design, Development, and Innovation Specialist
Department of the Air Force
10.2019 - 02.2021
Curriculum Development Manager
Department of the Air Force
04.2018 - 10.2019
Community Readiness Specialist
Department of the Air Force
05.2017 - 04.2018
Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act On-Site VA Benefits Advisor/Instructor/Site Lead
CACI Dynamic Systems
04.2015 - 03.2017
Adjunct Faculty
John F. Kennedy University
03.2013 - 01.2021
Master's degree - Adult Education & Distance Learning
University of Phoenix
Master's degree - Global Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor's degree - International Relations
San Francisco State University
Technical or occupational certificate - Air War College
Air University Global College of PME (GCPME)
Technical or occupational certificate - Air Command Staff College
Air University Global College of PME (GCPME)
Technical or occupational certificate -
National University
Doctorate degree - Education (EdD) in Higher and Postsecondary Education
Argosy University
Job Related Training - Certifications
- Women, Peace, & Security Level 100 Virtual Course, 2025-06-01, Joint Staff J5, U.S. Department of Defense
- Kirkpatrick Four Levels Evaluation Certification, Bronze Level, 2024-06-01
- Databricks Accredited Generative AI Fundamentals, 2025-04-01, 2027-04-01
- Flipped Learning Level I Certification
- ATD ROI Certificate
Organizations And Affiliations
- Association for Talent Development, Member
- National Career Development Association (NCDA), Member
Professional Publications
Exploring transition perceptions of veterans affairs school certifying officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs VetSuccess on campus program, Doctoral dissertation, Rich, E. E., 2017, Phoenix, AZ, Argosy University Online, http://dissertation.argosy.edu/auo_rich_eliz_201708.pdf
Public Speaking Events
- 2AF Fall Faculty Summit, 2023-12-01
- SCALE-UP: 21st Century Learning Environment for Training, 2019-02-01, Air Education and Training Command Air Force Learning Professionals Consortium, Randolph AFB, TX
- Department of Veterans Affairs VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) and Institutions of Higher Learning: Partnership for Supporting Veteran Student Success, 2018-10-01, Southeastern Council on Military Education, USS Yorktown, Charleston, SC
Personal Information
Availability: Permanent, Full-time