The University of St. Thomas aerospace studies and Air Force ROTC program has been building leaders of character since 1948, ultimately preparing students to commission as Second Lieutenants with the Air Force and enter active duty after graduation.
Our program boasts a first-class training facility and consistently ranks among the highest in the nation. We will develop your leadership, time management and communication skills while challenging you to balance your academic workload with Air Force ROTC requirements. You will be prepared to lead in the Air Force and your community after graduating from St. Thomas.
Cadets study a field of their choice while learning leadership skills necessary to be an officer in the Air Force. The four core areas of our curriculum center around aerospace classes, leadership lab, physical training and field training.
You will complete degree requirements in your major area of choice along with the following classes each year.
Minor in Aerospace Studies
Cadets study a field of their choice while learning leadership skills necessary to be an officer in the Air Force. The four core areas of our curriculum center around aerospace classes, leadership lab, physical training and field training.
You will complete degree requirements in your major area of choice along with the following classes each year.
Minor in Aerospace Studies
From becoming the second female solo pilot in the Thunderbirds to overseeing software acquisition efforts, our community will teach you to lead and support you throughout your undergraduate career.
Capt. Cory Polta served as a software release manager and special projects officer for the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System program management office after graduating from St. Thomas. He managed multiple product teams while overseeing cost, schedule and technical performance parameters for $75 million in software acquisition efforts by the Air Force.
Captain Curran, a St. Thomas Aquinas Scholar, was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force the same day she graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 2009. She was chosen as Thunderbird No. 6, the team's Opposing Solo Pilot. She is the fifth female pilot in Thunderbirds history and only their second female solo pilot. She was also the first woman assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron.
As a junior in high school, Cadet Brennan served as a United States Senate Page in Washington, D.C., and went on to join the Air Force ROTC program at St. Thomas due to Detachment 410's high national ranking. Cadet Brennan continues to make contributions to the community as an undergraduate at St. Thomas.
Our graduates apply their knowledge, experiences and leadership skills on a daily basis in their work. Here is what they have been up to lately.
High school students and current cadets can earn a scholarship through the Air Force and St. Thomas.
The Type 1 Scholarship pays full tuition and fees at any public or private institution with an AFROTC detachment. Recipients receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend. St. Thomas will pay room and board for cadets as well.
The Type 2 Scholarship pays up to $18,000 per year in tuition and fees at any public or private institution with an AFROTC detachment. St. Thomas will cover the remainder of your tuition and room and board if selected for this scholarship.
Cadets may compete for an AFROTC scholarship while they are actively enrolled as current students at St. Thomas.
Detachment 410 ranks in the top 10% of the 145 detachments nationwide.
More than 75% of our students were awarded an AFROTC scholarship—that’s more than triple the average rate nationwide.
Detachment 410 cadets are selected for optional summer AFROTC programs at twice the national rate.
Lt Col Leah M. Meyer is the Department Chair and Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 410, at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. She is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students from among fifteen universities and colleges for commissioning into the Air Force and Space Force as second lieutenants.
Major Larson currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Recruiting Officer for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 410, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students to become Air Force and Space Force officers through the AFROTC program at St. Thomas
Captain Corcoran is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and the Operations Flight Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 410, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students from among sixteen universities and colleges for commissioning into the United States Air Force as second lieutenants.
Cadet Samantha Nordmark '21 traveled to Georgia to learn Russian through Project Global Officer (GO). Project GO not only focuses on giving cadets an intensive language learning opportunity, but also on enhancing cross-cultural communication skills.
Cadet Sam Gentle '20 studied introductory Mandarin Chinese for seven weeks in the summer of 2018 in Taiwan. His seven-week experience in Taiwan provided him with a solid foundational knowledge of the Chinese language and a wealth of cultural experience.
By joining the Detachment 410, you are becoming part of a close-knit community of students and faculty making a difference—something much bigger than all of us.
AFROTC offers you an opportunity to serve your country and community.
AFROTC allows you to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
AFROTC provides a structured path to a career after college.
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.
Lieutenant Colonel Meyer, Professor and Chair of Aerospace Studies and Commander of Detachment 410, is dual qualified in Aircraft Maintenance and Contracting, and most recently served as Executive Officer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting), Pentagon, Washington D.C.
Major Johnson, Assistant Professor and Operations Officer, is dual qualified in Aircraft Maintenance and Acquisitions Program Management and recently led government oversight of a leading aerospace defense company with a portfolio value of $5.1B in aircraft production contracts.
Captain Larson, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Recruiting Officer, is a special operations pilot and recently served as Flight Safety Officer and MC-130J Evaluator Pilot at the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, NM.
Captain Corcoran, Assistant Professor and Operations Flight Commander, is a Nuclear Missileer Officer where she recently led 15 missile crew officers, as a Flight Commander, in order to ensure the wing maintains combat capable and unit readiness warfighters.