Mike Hatfield

Michael Hatfield serves as Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Associate Director for Education at the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI). After earning his BS in electrical engineering from Ohio Northern University, MS from California State University Fresno, and PhD in Electrical/Aerospace Engineering from UAF, he built an impressive career spanning military service and academia. His 28-year Air Force career included roles as Deputy Director of the AF Office of Scientific Research and Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Air Vehicles Directorate. Since joining UAF in 2013, he has pioneered the development of aerospace education programs, incrementally building from graduate courses in unmanned aircraft systems to a full aerospace engineering degree program. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing UAF's aerospace curriculum, including the creation of popular UAS courses, an aerospace engineering minor, and most recently, a master's certificate in aerospace engineering. As faculty advisor for UAF's student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, he actively mentors students while conducting research in UAS applications and remote sensing. His work has earned him notable recognition, including the William P. Clements Award for Outstanding Educator in Astronautics and the John P. Wittry Award for Outstanding Instructor in Engineering Design during his time at the US Air Force Academy.