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Department of Leadership

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  • Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL

Department of Leadership

The Department of Leadership and Research Development (DEL) organizes and executes the “Leadership and the Profession of Arms” and “Leadership in Command” core courses as well as the ACSC electives program.  In the Leadership courses students have the opportunity to hone their personal leadership philosophy, better understand the complexities of leading people and organizations, and prepare for future command and staff responsibilities.  The department also conducts the ACSC Faculty Research Focal Program which provides the necessary time for faculty members to complete long-term research projects nearing publication.  Finally, the department promotes student and faculty research within the journal and publishing house community to bring the research to publication and to advance fields of study.

Dr. Lisa L. Beckenbaugh is the Chair of the Leadership and Research Development Department at Air University’s Air Command and Staff College (ACSC). Dr. Beckenbaugh received her bachelors and masters degrees from St. Cloud State University and her PhD from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Beckenbaugh has taught at a variety of undergraduate and graduate civilian institutions. Her book, The Versailles Treaty: A Documentary and Reference Guide for ABC-CLIO, was published in 2018. Dr. Beckenbaugh also serves as the faculty advisor for the Gathering of Eagles elective and has edited five of their published books, most recently, Why We Stay: Stories of Unity and Perseverance. Dr. Beckenbaugh’s current research is on the 1st MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital), later redesignated 8209th MASH, during the Korean War.
Dr. Sebastian Lukasik is Associate Professor in the Department of Leadership and Research Development at Air Command and Staff College, where he serves as director of the ACSC In-Residence Electives Program. He holds a Ph.D. in military history from Duke University. His research and teaching interests include combat motivation, the history and theory of airpower, and military culture. He is currently completing a book manuscript on the emergence of combined-arms warfare in the First World War and its implications for soldiers’ experience of and response to the stresses of modern combat.
Dr. Amber B. Batura is an Assistant Professor of Military and Security Studies in the Department of Leadership and Research Development. She teaches courses in Leadership, Airpower, and International Security as well as offering the War and Gender elective. Dr. Batura advises the Commandant Speaker Series and serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for ACSC and participates in various committees at ACSC and AU. Prior to joining ACSC in March 2021, she was an instructor at Texas Tech. University in Lubbock, Texas. She also taught online courses for Texas Tech Costa Rica and the University of Texas Permian Basin. Dr. Batura graduated with her Ph.D. in history from Texas Tech University in 2018. Her specialization looks at the intersection between war and culture and war and society, with a special focus on gender and the military. She has published articles in The New York Times, the Journal of American-East Asian Relations, and has contributed to edited volumes on the Vietnam War. She is currently working on a manuscript on the importance of Playboy magazine to soldiers in the Vietnam War.
Dr. Daniel A. Connelly serves in the Department of Leadership at Air University’s Air Command and Staff College. He is a retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer whose background includes operational tours at headquarters and flying unit echelons and deployments to Southwest and Far East Asia. He has taught courses in International Security, Leadership Studies, Air Power Theory, the Just War Tradition, Russian Studies and Educational Methodology. He holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Auburn University, and master’s degrees in strategic intelligence and Russian culture with a concentration in international security. He has published on topics ranging from leadership theory to higher education to former Soviet Union affairs and has participated in multiple empirical investigations related to these topics. He has served as an adjunct professor on ethics at the Air Force Chaplain Corps College for several years. He is currently working on a book on international relations theory. Previously, Dan served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Squadron Officer College.
Dr. Paul Johstono is an Associate Professor of Leadership Studies at the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC). He is currently the course director for Leadership and the Profession of Arms. He teaches courses on Leadership and Ethics, Military Theory, and Airpower. He teaches or has taught elective courses on the Great Captains of military history, Roman Great Power Competition, and the Vietnam War. He regularly leads walking tours and staff rides on leadership, strategy, and social innovation in the Montgomery Civil Rights Movement. He is the ACSC representative to the SACS QEP, a member of the AU Ethics Working Group, and works on several ACSC and AU committees. Prior to joining ACSC in January 2019, he was Associate Professor for History of Warfare at The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. Dr. Johstono received his bachelor’s degree in history from Furman University in Greenville, SC (2005) and his master’s degree (2008) and Ph.D. (2012) in history from Duke University. He specializes in warfare and military institutions in the Hellenistic era, approximately from Alexander the Great to Julius Caesar. He has published numerous articles and chapters on subjects ranging from ancient insurgency to battlefield investigation to demography and ethnography. His first book, on the Army of Ptolemaic Egypt, was published at the end of 2020. He is on the editorial board for the Brill series on War in World History. He is currently completing projects on ethics and diversity, ancient leadership and strategy, ancient cases of military adaptation and resiliency, and a systems theory analysis of ancient great powers.
Dr. William “Bill” Harlow is Professor of Organizational Leadership at the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC). Prior to his current position, he served as Chair of the Department of Communication at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He has been a faculty member at UT Permian Basin since 2008, previously holding roles as Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor. He also served as Dean of Undergraduate Success from 2012 to 2019, leading initiatives that significantly improved student retention and graduation rates. Dr. Harlow holds a PhD in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University (2002), an MA in Communication from the University of Texas at El Paso (1999), and a BA in Communication from Angelo State University (1997). His teaching includes courses on Public Speaking, Political Communication, Crisis Communication, and more, both online and face-to-face. His professional background includes roles as Secretary for the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission and Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department, where he served in Mexico City and Abuja, Nigeria. He also worked as an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University and has held various teaching positions during his graduate studies. Dr. Harlow's research includes publications on communication theories and presidential rhetoric. He has secured significant grants, including a $1.85 million Title V HSI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Dr. Brosh M. Teucher is an Assistant Professor of Human Resources and Organization at Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) working in the Department of Leadership. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Washington (2006), an MS in Behavioral and Management Sciences from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (1995), and dual BA degrees in Psychology and Geography from Haifa University (1992). His research focuses on organizational culture, cross-cultural negotiation, and human capital management. He has published in various journals and presented at major conferences such as the Academy of Management. Dr. Teucher teaches courses on Leadership in the Profession of Arms, National Security and has taught Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Leadership, and Negotiation at both graduate and executive levels. He has also participated in advanced professional development programs, including those at Harvard Law School and the Center for Conflict Resolution.
Col Stringer is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. She teaches Leadership in the Profession of Arms, and Leadership in Command, as well as offering Leadership 652 ARCS for the Global College of PME (GCPME). Col Stringer is the ACSC Fellows Program manager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts: French & German, University of Portland, a Bachelor of Business Administration & Marketing, University of Portland, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University. Col Stringer is the Wing Commander (IMA) of the 480 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia.
Lt Col Ballew is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He teaches Leadership in the Profession of Arms, Airpower Strategy & Operations, and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Ballew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts degree in International Relations, University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling & Leadership, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Ballew was commander of the 32nd Student Training Squadron at Squadron Officer School.
Lt Col Barnes is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He currently serves as deputy course director for the Leadership in Command Course. He teaches National Security, and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Barnes holds a B.S. University of Arkansas, Business Administration, a M.A. Webster University, Procurement and Acquisition Management, a MBA, Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Military Studies, Marine Command and Staff College. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Barnes was commander of the 92nd Contracting Squadron.
Lt Col Canup is an Air University Fellow and instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. She teaches Leadership in the Profession of Arms and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Canup holds a B.S. Space Systems Engineering & French Minor, U.S. Air Force Academy, a M.S. Space Systems Engineering, AFIT, a M.A. National Security Affairs, Sub-Saharan Africa, Naval Postgraduate school, a M.S. Strategic Studies, Air War College. Prior to her current assignment, Lt Col Canup was a student at Air War College.
Lt Col Colonel Joseph “Winters” Ladymon is an instructor in the Department of Leadership and Research Development at Air University's Air Command and Staff College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in government and history (dual majors) from the College of William and Mary, a master's degree in national security studies from American Military University, and a master's degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma. Lt Col Ladymon also attended the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Ladymon commanded the 314 Training Squadron at the Defense Language Institute-Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, where he led 750 personnel at two geographically separated units undergoing language training for USAF missions worldwide. Lt Col Ladymon is a career intelligence professional and targeting analyst, weapons school graduate and instructor, and has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn.
Lt Col Liggett is an Air University Fellow and Instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He teaches Leadership in the Profession of Arms and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Liggett holds a B.S. in Military History, U.S. Air Force Academy, a M.A. in Homeland Security, AMU, a M.A. in National Security Studies, Naval Postgraduate school, a M.S. Strategic Studies, Air War College. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Liggett was a student at Air War College.
Lt Col Long is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He currently serves as deputy course director for the Leadership and the Profession of Arms Course. He teaches Airpower Strategy and Operations and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Long holds a B.S. in Computer Science and Economics, U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Military Operational Studies, Command and General Staff College. He is a senior pilot serving as an instructor/evaluator in the RC-135 and a mulit-domain warfare officer serving in both USEUCOM and USSOUTHCOM. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Long was the Branch Chief, Strategic Plan Integration at AFSOUTH.
Lt Col Schreiber is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He currently serves as deputy Chair of the Leader and Research Development Department. He teaches National Security and Leadership in Command. Lt Col Schreiber holds a B.A. Spanish Literature, Virgina Military Institute, a M.A. Int’l Relations, Troy University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Schreiber served as the deputy of the 14th Operational Group at Columbus AFB.
Lt Col Matt “Indy” Ziemann is an instructor in the Department of Leadership and Research Development at Air University’s Air Command and Staff College.  He teaches Leadership and the Profession of Arms, Leadership in Command, Airpower Strategy and Operations, and is the military advisor for the Gathering of Eagles.  He is a career intelligence officer and political-military affairs strategist with a background primarily in special operations.  He is an instructor/evaluator senior airborne ISR Operator with over 1200 flight hours in a variety of special operations aircraft including over 850 combat hours flown in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation NEW DAWN.  He is also a civilian pilot owning an RV-4 for the past 17 years and flying WWII warbirds for the Commemorative Air Force.  Lt Col Ziemann commanded the 392d Intelligence Squadron and served as military deputy director of Air University’s Commanders’ Professional Development School running O-6 pre-command training prior to his arrival on ACSC faculty.  He received his Bachelor of Science in management from the US Air Force Academy and holds a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in strategic leadership from Trident University and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University.
Major Markling is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. Major Markling is a graduate of ACSC. He teaches Joint Air Operations Planning, Airpower Strategy and Operations, and Leadership in Command. He holds a B.S. in Foreign Area Studies from the U.S. Air Force Academy, M.A. Strategic Purchasing and Category Management, Naval Postgraduate School, and a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, Maxwell AFB. Prior to attending ACSC, Major Markling was the commander DCMA Israel in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Major Olson is an instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. He’s a graduate of the School of Advanced Nuclear and Deterrence Studies (SANDS) concentration while attending ACSC. He currently serves as director of staff of the Leader and Research Development Department.  He teaches Joint Air Operations Planning, National Security, and Leadership in Command. Major Olson holds a bachelor's degree in University Studies, University of New Mexico, a M.A. in Security Management, American Military University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, Maxwell AFB. Prior to attending ACSC, Major Olson was the 14th Security Forces commander at Columbus AFB, MS.
Major Smith is an Air University Fellow and instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. Major Smith is a graduate of ACSC. She teaches Leadership and the Profession of Arms, Leadership in Command.  Major Smith holds a B.S. Geography & Geographic Information Sciences, South Dakota State University, a M.S. Organizational Leadership (specialization in Strategic Innovation and Change Management), Colorado State University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, Maxwell AFB. Prior to attending ACSC, Major Smith was the Director of Operations for 52 Logistics Readiness Squadron.
Major Watts is an Air University Fellow and instructor for the Department of Leadership and Research Development. Major Watts is a graduate of ACSC. She currently serves as deputy course director for the Leadership and the Profession of Arms Course. Additionally, she teaches Joint Air Operations Planning, National Security, and Leadership in Command, and is the military advisor for the Gathering of Eagles.  Major Watts holds a B.S. in Economics, Auburn University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, Maxwell AFB. Prior to attending ACSC, Major Watts was the Squadron Commander of the 77th Fighter Generation Squadron (77 FGS).