U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (Dec. 10, 2024) – The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation today announced that Col. Michael “Baja” Cornelius, USAFA Class of 2000, has been named executive vice president of alumni relations. In his new role, Col. Cornelius will oversee alumni relations and work closely with the AOG board of directors. He will report to the CEO and serve as a corporate officer for the AOG.

As the current director of operations and strategic analysis at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Col. Cornelius leads a team of 35 military, civilian and contract personnel that administers core operations, systematic research, institutional strategies and analysis. He provides major command-level approval, oversight, apportionment and tasking authority for Academy programs and research. He also oversees institutional effectiveness processes, integrates cross-component priorities, establishes policy and issues orders on behalf of the USAFA superintendent.

Col. Cornelius served as commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School from June 2022 to June 2024. He is a 1996 graduate of the Prep School.

Following his commission into the U.S. Air Force in 2000, Col. Cornelius served as a weapon systems officer in the B-1 bomber and supported multiple combat deployments during the global war on terrorism. Over his distinguished career, he served in leadership roles at the squadron, group, wing, component and major command levels. He will soon retire from the Air Force after a nearly 25-year career as an active-duty officer.

Assuming his new duties at the Association and Foundation on Feb. 3, 2025, Col. Cornelius will lead alumni relations, engagement, customer service, membership and merchandise operations. He will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase and sustain graduate and parent engagement and serve a growing base of constituencies, including more than 55,000 living USAFA graduates. His portfolio will include reunions, chapter and affinity groups, career services, heritage programs, parent and graduate membership, and the WebGuy program.

“Amidst a pool of highly accomplished applicants, Baja distinguished himself in his qualifications and passion for the mission,” says Mark Hille, Class of 1997 and CEO of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation. “He is a highly respected member of the Long Blue Line and is ready to lead our alumni relations team through an exciting next chapter, building on the great work already underway. We are excited to welcome him to the Association and Foundation.”

“I am extremely humbled and excited for this opportunity to serve not only the Long Blue Line, but also our future graduates, whether they are preppies or firsties,” says Col. Cornelius. “The team has developed a vision and mission with clear strategic priorities that will undoubtedly move the AOG, Foundation and Academy forward for years to come. I can’t wait to become part of the team and continue driving our institution forward while preserving its heritage.”

Col. Cornelius will work with his team in Doolittle Hall, the USAFA-based headquarters for the Association of Graduates. The alumni relations team will move with all Association and Foundation staff to Wecker Hall when it opens in the summer of 2025.

Col. Cornelius’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and eight oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Resources: 

Col. Michael “Baja” Cornelius ’00 biography

Col. Michael “Baja” Cornelius, USAFA Class of 2000