CMIST Fellows Advance Mission and Impact

The fellowship program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) once again proved its value this academic year. Five fellows—four national security fellows from various military services and a political science postdoctoral fellow—contributed to the university's research, teaching, and engagement. This cohort, bridging military and academic insights, enhanced the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) community through collaborative engagements and mentorship, leaving a lasting imprint on both CMIST and the broader university.

Captain M. Scott Austin, a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School, brought over two decades of service experience across a range of domains including search and rescue, counterterrorism, and intelligence capability development to CMU. Prior to his time at CMU, Austin initially connected with the institute as a participant in CMIST’s AI Boot Camp for Intelligence Professionals specifically created for the US Coast Guard, held in December of 2023. Once at CMU, he focused on autonomous systems and AI, while also contributing his expertise as a guest speaker for relevant courses at CMIST. His collaborations with the Robotics Institute and Software Engineering Institute contributed to advancements in Coast Guard capabilities in unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber technologies. He participated in the Tartan Air Rescue team, which was named a stage one winner at the GoAERO Competition. Austin also published several articles and white papers. For example, his piece on AI “prompt engineering” for senior military leaders was included in The Cyber Edge e-newsletter this spring. With his fellowship completed, he is moving on to be the Commander of Air Station Atlantic City, the Coast Guard’s largest single-airframe facility, where he will oversee missions along the Mid-Atlantic Coast.

Major Ronisha Carter, who joined CMIST as a US Air Force National Defense Fellow, previously served as a data and AI strategist in the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office. With a background as an enlisted cyber professional and subsequent commission as a Cyberspace Operations Officer, Carter's career has centered on the strategic integration of emerging technologies. She holds degrees in computer science and engineering, in addition to an Executive Certification in Management & Leadership from MIT. During her time at CMU, she collaborated with the Software Engineering Institute on research concerning AI talent development in the Department of Defense, culminating in a monograph on organizational pipeline challenges. Recognized as a 2024 Changemaker in AI and one of Chief Data Magazine’s 40 Under 40, she will continue her service as a Technical Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit in Mountain View, California.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Duval, a US Army War College Fellow, leveraged his extensive experience as a career Signal Officer to engage deeply with CMU’s academic and innovation communities. With previous assignments spanning Iraq, Korea, and Europe, Duval has commanded units responsible for Theater Network operations and supported critical communication infrastructure for combatant commands. At CMIST, he pursued a demanding schedule, engaging in research, collaborating with students on innovation challenges, and authored a paper on institutional barriers to defense innovation. Duval has been selected for promotion to colonel and will next serve as Chief of Staff at 7th Signal Command (Theater) at Fort Meade.

As a US Navy Federal Executive Fellow, Commander Heather Thomas brought to CMIST a distinguished aviation career that included deployments supporting major operations such as Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. A Naval Academy graduate and seasoned pilot, Thomas focused on foreign policy and regional studies this past year, with specific interest on influencing the future of military training and innovation. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of a US Navy Robotics Warfare training program at CMU and facilitated an initial pilot program to integrate Naval X into the Pittsburgh tech ecosystem. As she transitions to a new role at US Space Command, she will lead the development of a commercial space integration strategy, further bridging military and civilian innovation.

Dr. Nicole Kliewer, a postdoctoral fellow and lecturer holding a joint appointment at CMIST and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, concluded a two-year tenure. Kliewer joined CMIST following a Congressional Fellowship and doctoral studies at Princeton University. Her research on military service in American political behavior resonated strongly with the CMIST community, where she designed and taught courses on media bias, electoral systems, and voting rights. A valued colleague and contributor to the political science research workshop at CMIST, Kliewer is headed to Villanova University, where she will begin a tenure-track position in the Political Science Department.

Together, the 2024-2025 fellows made lasting contributions through their research, teaching, and engagement across CMU. They advanced CMIST’s mission by bridging technology, policy, and national security, while fostering meaningful connections with the broader policy community as a whole. As they transition to new roles in both military leadership and academia, their impact will continue to inform critical conversations within CMIST for years to come.

(Image 1, l to r: Captain M. Scott Austin and CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin; Image 2, l to r: Major Ronisha Carter and CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin; Image 3, l to r: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Duval and CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin; Image 4: Commander Heather Thomas shakes hands with CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin; Image 5, l to r: Dr. Nicole Kliewer and CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin; Image 6, l to r: CMIST Deputy Director for Security Policy Studies Ralph López, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Duval, Dr. Nicole Kliewer, Commander Heather Thomas, Major Ronisha Carter, Captain M. Scott Austin, and CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin)