Major Michael K. Hills

E-mail address: mkh179@psu.edu

 

Major Hills is a joint planning course instructor and advisor at Air Command and Staff College, currently on assignment to Penn State University to pursue a Ph.D. in Information Systems Technology.  The Air Command and Staff College is the world's premier professional military education college for mid-career officers and civilians focusing on the development of leaders. Graduates go on to provide significant contributions in developing, employing, sustaining and commanding air, space, and cyberspace power in joint and combined operations throughout the world.  In support of this mission, he’s responsible for instructional system development and classroom instruction servicing mid-level officers pursuing graduate studies leading to a Masters Degree in Military Arts and Science.   The student body is comprised of officers from all branches of service of the United States and international officers from over 50 coalition partner and allied nations.

EDUCATION
1984 – Associate of Science, Computer Science Technology, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA

1992 – Associate of Science, Electronic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL

1993 – Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology, Cum Laude, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

1995 – Associate of Science, Computer Science Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL

1995 – Basic Communications Officer Training, Keesler AFB, MS

1998 – Master of Science, Human Resource Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI

1999 – Academic Instructor School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2001 – Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2003 – Advanced Communications Officer Training, Distinguished Graduate, Keesler AFB, MS

2005 – Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence

2007 – Ph.D. Student, Penn State University

 

RESEARCH INTEREST

 

My research interest is in the area of the Computer Supported Cooperative Learning.  I’m specifically interested in the study of attrition and persistence of learners in these e-Learning environments and the factors involved in on-line collaborative efforts that help to promote persistence to graduation.  I’m also interested in studying the differences in the attrition and persistence performance in various e-Learning programs and identifying specific reasons for one program outperforming another in graduation persistence.  

 

ASSIGNMENTS

1.  March 1986 – June 1988, enlisted, Precision Measurement Equipment Specialist, Lowry AFB, CO

2.  June 1988 – December 1990, enlisted, Precision Measurement Equipment Specialist, Scott AFB, IL
3.  December 1990 – October 1994, enlisted, Network Technician, Travis AFB, CA
4.  October 1994 – January 1995, Officer Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL

5.  January 1995 – May 1995, student, Basic Communication Officer Training, Keesler AFB, MS

6.  July 1995 – May 1999, Programmer/Analyst, United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE

7.  May 1999 – July 2002, Assistant Professor Aerospace Studies, Detachment 205, Air Force ROTC, Carbondale, IL

8.  July 2002 – May 2005, Commander, Mission Systems Flight, 78th Communications Squadron, Robins AFB, GA

9.  May 2005 – June 2006, Deputy Commander, 78th Communications Squadron, Robins AFB, GA

10. June 2006 – Aug 2007, Academic Instructor and Advisor, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL

11. Aug 2007 – Present, Graduate Student, Penn State University, University Park, PA

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal

 

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2001, Squadron Officer College, Squadron Officer School, United States Air Force Chief of Staff Trophy

2004, Air Force Materiel Command, Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award, Company Grade Manager of the Year

2004, 78th Communications Squadron, Company Grade Officer of the Year

2005, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Communications and Information Field Grade Officer of the Year

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant – January 27, 1995
First Lieutenant – January 27, 1997
Captain – January 27, 1999

Major – May 1, 2005

 

Page created: Thursday, 21-Feb-2008 07:10:06 EST