Our Staff
Commander
LIEUTENANT COLONEL GAVIN S. HAGENS, PROFESSOR OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
Lt Col Gavin Hagens is the Commander at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 025, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. As the Detachment Commander, Lt Col Hagens oversees a comprehensive Air Force ROTC program dedicated to recruiting, training, and developing over 250 officer candidates from Arizona State University and 11 affiliated cross-town institutions. In addition to his command responsibilities, he serves as the Professor of Aerospace Studies, where he instructs courses on National Security, Leadership, and Professional Development.
Lt Col Hagens worked several years abroad as an English instructor in Japan and attended George Washington University, earning his Master’s Degree in International Relations, before attending Officer Training School and commissioning in 2009. Lt Col Hagens was trained as an Air Battle Manager (ABM) and served during both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. He subsequently spent more than three years in Japan as an Electronic Combat Officer, holding positions at both the Squadron as a flight commander and the Group as a standards and evaluations E-3 lead. Lt Col Hagens was selected for development as a Foreign Area Officer (FAO) in 2019 and assigned to the INDOPACOM region. He attended the Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C. (DLI-W) and speaks both Japanese and Vietnamese. After FAO development, he was assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force's International Affairs (SAF/IA) Division and managed several Southeast Asian portfolios. Prior to his current assignment, he served as speechwriter to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
Director of Operations
CAPTAIN MITCHEAL R. NAIRN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
Captain Mitch Nairn is the Director of Operations Officer at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 025, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. He oversees and is responsible for detachment operations, recruiting, and education functions. Captain Nairn oversees cadre training, professional development, and leads, recruits, trains, mentors, counsels, and evaluates 175 qualified men and women as prospective Air Force officers. Additionally, Captain Nairn is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and instructs Aerospace 401/403: National Security, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation.
Captain Mitch Nairn entered the Air Force in 2004 and received his commission as a distinguished graduate through the Air Force Officer Training School. Capt Nairn has served as an Intelligence Analyst, Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer, and now as a Force Support Officer. During his time in the Air Force, Capt Nairn has had the privilege of serving in numerous locations around the globe, to include the Pentagon. Prior to his current assignment, Capt Nairn was the Chief of Student Operations at the International Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He then assumed the duties of Military Personnel Flight Commander at the 42nd Force Support Squadron in 2022. In addition, he served as the strategic manager for base level military personnel programs at Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. Capt Nairn has combat deployed experience in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Operations Flight Commander
CAPTAIN SARA E. SELF, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
Captain Sara Self is the Operations Flight Commander at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 25, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. She oversees and is responsible for all facets of cadet training and discipline, including directing/supervising leadership laboratory, field training preparation, and career guidance within the detachment. Additionally, Captain Self is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and instructs Aerospace Studies 201/203, which develops student knowledge of air and space power through a historical perspective, discussing Air Force Core Values, and developing communication skills.
Captain Self entered the Air Force in May 2019 through the United States Air Force Academy. She completed Logistics Readiness Officer Course and received her 21R badge at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Prior to her current position, Capt Self was the Executive Officer, 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England.
Education Officer
CAPTAIN ROSANNA K. HOPKINS, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
Captain Rosanna K. Hopkins is the Education Officer at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 25, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. She oversees standardization and evaluation of the AFROTC curriculum within the detachment. Additionally, Captain Hopkins is also an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and instructs Aerospace Studies 101, which develops student knowledge of air and space heritage, and developing values.
Captain Hopkins enlisted into the Air Force in August 2006 and earned her commission from Officer Training School in November 2018. Captain Hopkins’ background includes various duties ranging from Shift Supervisor, Combat Advisor in Afghanistan, Enlisted & Physician Recruiter, and Flight Commander of an Enlisted Technical Training School at a Geographically Separated Unit. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as the Vehicle Maintenance Flight Commander at the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron as well as the Transportation Flight Commander and Aerial Port Operations Officer for the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Cadet Actions Officer
CAPTAIN CHRIS D. HEKOWCZYK, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
Captain Chris Hekowczyk is the Officer in Charge of Cadet Actions at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 25, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. He oversees and is responsible for all cadet management actions and career guidance within the detachment. Additionally, Captain Hekowczyk is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and instructs Aerospace Studies 401/403: National Security, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation.
Captain Hekowczyk enlisted in the Air Force in 2008 and received his commission through Officer Training School in 2019. During his nearly 12 years of enlisted service, he served across many positions to include Aircraft Maintenance, deploying in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve, Cyber Client Systems Operations, Ceremonial Guardsmen with the USAF Honor Guard in the National Capital Region, as well as Ceremonies and Protocol for the Air Force District of Washington supporting foreign dignitaries, NATO allies, two Chief of Staff of the Air Force, numerous General Officers, and the 44th President of the United States. As a 2d Lieutenant, he led the F-35 Mission Defense Team for the Air Force’s largest fighter wing, enabling his team to provide critical software feedback ensuring the F-35’s logistics information system was protected Air Force wide. Additionally, he coordinated with 77 Mission Defense Teams worldwide and relayed critical cyber defense methodology across 5 different MAJCOMs. As a 1st Lieutenant, he was the Flight Commander for Network Operations. Prior to his current position, Captain Hekowczyk was the Flight Commander for Plans and Programs, 56th Communications Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona.
Officer Accessions Instructor
MASTER SERGEANT TYLER S. BOUDREAU, OFFICER ACCESSIONS INSTRUCTOR
Master Sergeant Tyler S. Boudreau is the Officer Accessions Instructor at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 025 at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. He serves as the detachment’s Key Enlisted Leader and as the primary enlisted advisor to the detachment commander on cadet academics, professional development programs, military training and discipline. He also supports cadet life cycle management and completes actions for contracting, commissioning, extended active duty and AFROTC Field Training. He performs administrative and personnel cadet actions for more than 250 cadets and seven cadre members.
Sergeant Boudreau entered the Air Force in March 2014 later completing Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base. He attended Technical Training at Sheppard Air Force Base learning the basic skills of a C-130H Crew Chief. October 2014 He was assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan as an Isochronal Crew Chief. Preforming major inspections, repairs and modifications to a fleet of 14 C-130Hs valued at $2 billion. While supporting humanitarian missions throughout the United States Indo-Pacific Command air lifting 260,000 pounds of cargo. Then in October 2016 he was assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. Where he served as an AC-130W dedicated Crew Chief. Leading the Air Force Special Operations Command’s largest Squadron. During his stay at Cannon Air Force Base, Sergeant Boudreau’s team answered their first Presidential Directed Mission, to defend the American Embassy in Iraq. He answered the second mission to defend NATO forces, where 34 insurgents’ advancement were halted on an American forward operating base.
Sergeant Boudreau deployed three times with the Joint Special Operations Air Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Over his deployments he provided overwatch to 12,200 United States and Coalition Ground Forces, enabled 439 combat missions, expended 53,000 rounds and 416 small diameter bombs on target, destroying 1,200 vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, capturing 18 high value targets of the Islamic State and eliminating 429 enemies of the United States of America. His efforts resulted in the liberation of Syria and Iraq from Islamic State control and the freeing of one million civilians.
NCOIC, Administration
TECHNICAL SERGEANT NYQUETIN PARKS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF ADMINISTRATION
Technical Sergeant NyQuetin D. Parks is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Cadet Actions at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 25, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. As the Cadet Actions NCOIC, he oversees daily operations of 264 cadets and manages personnel records for cadre, Air Force Institute of Technology, Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, and Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program students. He ensures cadets are medically cleared, reviewer of all travel vouchers, contracting and commissioning, and the liaison between Detachment 025 and the Holm Center.
TSgt Parks enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2012 from Las Vegas, Nevada, and reported to Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in March 2013. He attended Knowledge Operations Manager technical training and graduated in July 2013. His first assignment was to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, where he served three years with the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron as a Knowledge Operations Manager in the Commander’s Support Staff. In August 2016, he was assigned to Los Angeles AFB, California, as an Administrative Technician for the Space and Missile Systems Center Director of Staff, providing administrative and communications support to two general officers. In 2019, SSgt Parks was hand-selected to serve as the Administrator for the Office of Special Investigations at Royal Air Force Base Alconbury, United Kingdom. After two years, he transferred to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, where he served as the NCOIC of the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander’s Support Staff. While assigned there, he deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. In 2023, TSgt Parks arrived at Luke AFB, Arizona, as the NCOIC of the Command Support Staff for the Air Force’s largest Operations Group. In this role, he single-handedly supported 13 squadrons, 620 students, and seven partner nations.
Senior Business Operations Specialist
MRS. RACHAEL "VEE" LAMB, SENIOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Mrs. Rachel “Vee” Lamb is the Business Operations Specialist at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 025, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, Arizona. As the Business Operations Specialist, she is responsible for all detachment administrative duties for over 250 officer candidates from ASU and 11 cross-town universities.
Mrs. Lamb is a native Arizonan and was raised in Tempe. She began her career with ASU and AFROTC Detachment 025 in 2005. Mrs. Lamb has two children, which both serve in the Arizona Air National Guard.
Unit Program Manager & Coordinator
MRS. VANESSA MANRIQUEZ, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Mrs. Vanessa Manriquez is the Administrative Assistant at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 025, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, Arizona. As the Administrative Assistant, she is responsible for detachment administrative duties, including uniform, enrollment, and supply management for over 250 officer candidates from ASU and 11 cross-town universities.
Mrs. Manriquez was raised in California, but her and her family relocated to Phoenix in 2006. She began her career with ASU in 2017, then subsequently changed departments, joining AFROTC Detachment 025 in 2018. Mrs. Manriquez is married and has a daughter.