Cadre and Leadership

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Detachment 560 Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7903
Email: rnova01@manhattan.edu

Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Nova is the Commander and Professor of Air and Space Studies for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York.

As Commander, he oversees all operations and leads a cadre of instructors and noncommissioned officers responsible for training more than 105 cadets from 15 colleges, universities and the United States Merchant Marine Academy who aspire to become officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.

Lt. Col. Nova is the direct liaison to the President of Manhattan University and chairs the Department of Air and Space Studies. He received his commission in May 2009 as a graduate of Clemson University’s AFROTC program. He entered active duty as a civil engineer and served in various installation and Major Command engineer positions.

Prior to commanding Detachment 560, Lt. Col. Nova served as Operations Flight Commander for the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In that role, he led 134 personnel responsible for maintaining $2.2 billion in base infrastructure supporting two Combatant Command Headquarters, three Space Force Field Commands, an Army Field Command, three Space Force Deltas, two wings and 111 tenant units. He also directed the Unit Control Center overseeing 392 personnel during emergencies and exercises.

In 2021, Lt. Col. Nova commanded AFROTC Detachment 159 and served as Acting Chairman of the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Central Florida. He oversaw operations involving the recruiting, motivating, training and evaluating of approximately 180 cadets aspiring to become Air Force and Space Force officers.

Lt. Col. Nova’s expeditionary experience includes three deployments supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support. He is a two-time Department of Defense All-Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Gold Medalist and represented the Air Force in domestic and international competitions, earning a silver medal at the 2016 NATO Air Command Championships.

Education

• 2009, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
• 2009, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2013, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, by correspondence
• 2015, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2022, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• 2022, Master of Military Operational Studies, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Assignments

1. December 2009–June 2012, Infrastructure Engineer, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
2. July 2012–September 2013, Deputy Commander Engineering Flight and Chief of Programs Management, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron, Lajes Air Base, Portugal
3. October 2013–October 2016, Civil Engineer Flight Commander and Executive Officer, 799th Air Base Group, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
4. November 2016–July 2019, Command Installation and Infrastructure Strategist, Plans, Programs and Analysis Directorate, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
5. August 2019–June 2021, Commander, Operations Officer and Education Officer, AFROTC Detachment 159, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
6. July 2021–June 2022, Student, Command and General Staff College, Air Force Element, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
7. July 2022–May 2024, Operations Flight Commander, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
8. June 2024–Present, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Other Achievements

• 2012, Major General Lupia CGO Runner-up, United States Air Forces Europe
• 2016, Company Grade Officer of the Year, United States Air Force Warfare Center
• 2015, Outstanding Contributor, Squadron Officer School
• 2022, Superior Graduate, Command and General Staff College
• 2023, Major General L. Dean Fox Award, United States Space Force

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, May 9, 2009
• First Lieutenant, July 29, 2011
• Captain, July 29, 2013
• Major, July 29, 2019
• Lieutenant Colonel, October 1, 2023

Current as of October 2025.

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Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7902
Email: clovas01@manhattan.edu

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher M. Lovas is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and serves as the Operations Officer, Education Officer and Recruiting Officer for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York.

He is responsible for conducting and managing the education, training and accession of future Air Force and Space Force leaders. Lt. Col. Lovas graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2010. While stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, he served as Executive Officer to the Commander of the 47th Mission Support Group.

He was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of Minuteman III ICBM Operations Training in 2012 and served in numerous leadership positions while stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. In 2016, he transitioned into the intelligence career field and has since served at Fort Hood, Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Meade.

Lt. Col. Lovas is married to Major Amy Lovas, U.S. Army, an AH-64 pilot currently serving as an instructor in the Department of Mathematics at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Education

• 2010, Bachelor of Science in Basic Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• 2010, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2012, Distinguished Graduate, ICBM Operations Training (REACT-A), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
• 2013, Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy and Proliferation, Air Force Institute of Technology, by correspondence
• 2014, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2016, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
• 2021, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, concentration in nuclear warfare, Air University, by correspondence
• 2023, Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence

Assignments

1. August 2010–August 2011, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training and Executive Officer, 47th Mission Support Group, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 2011–March 2012, Student, ICBM Operations Training (REACT-A), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
3. March 2012–March 2013, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
4. March 2013–April 2013, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
5. April 2013–September 2013, Deputy Flight Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
6. September 2013–March 2014, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander Evaluator, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
7. March 2014–July 2014, Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
8. July 2014–December 2014, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
9. January 2015–May 2015, Assistant Flight Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
10. May 2015–November 2015, Missile Combat Crew Commander Instructor, 341st Operations Support Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
11. July 2016–February 2017, Chief of Training and ASOC Intelligence Duty Officer, 712th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Hood, Texas
12. February 2017–June 2018, Support Flight Commander and ISR Liaison Officer, 3rd Air Support Operations Group, Fort Hood, Texas
13. June 2018–December 2019, Chief, Acquisition and Integration Branch, ISR Operations Division, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
14. January 2020–June 2021, Section Chief, Daily Operations Inspection, Inspector General, Headquarters United States Space Force, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
15. July 2021–September 2023, Chief, Open Source Intelligence Branch, Intelligence Directorate, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
16. September 2023–May 2024, Senior Intelligence Watch Officer, Intelligence Directorate, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
17. June 2024–May 2025, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Operations Flight Commander, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York
18. June 2025–Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Operations Officer, Education Officer and Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Summary of Joint Assignments

• September 2023–May 2024, United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland

Major Awards and Decorations

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award
• National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation
• German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Gold)

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, May 26, 2010
• First Lieutenant, May 26, 2012
• Captain, May 26, 2014
• Major, January 1, 2020
• Lieutenant Colonel, February 1, 2025

Current as of October 2025.

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Operations Flight Commander and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7944
Email: rsmith11@manhattan.edu

Captain Ryan C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York. Drawing on his education in international relations and his background as an intelligence officer, he instructs more than 100 lessons annually on National Security Studies and Commissioning Preparation.

As Operations Flight Commander, Capt. Smith leads, recruits, trains, counsels and evaluates 80 prospective Department of the Air Force officers from 15 colleges and universities across New York City. He also ensures cadets are successfully trained on 59 objectives in both joint and total force environments.

Capt. Smith enlisted in 2010 and commissioned through Officer Training School in 2016. He holds a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University. His operational experience includes six deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain and Djibouti. He has served as the Officer in Charge of Intelligence Operations supporting two C-130J Airlift Squadrons and as Division Chief supporting weapons and tactics development in the Department of the Air Force’s only Operational Test and Evaluation Wing.

Education

• 2008, Bachelor of Arts in History, Manhattan College, New York
• 2013, Associate of Arts in Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force
• 2013, Airman Leadership School, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina
• 2016, Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Norwich University, Vermont
• 2016, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2017, Mobility Air Forces Intelligence Formal Training Unit, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
• 2020, F-35 Lightning II Intelligence Formal Training Unit, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
• 2021, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Course, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida
• 2023, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Assignments

1. February 2010–April 2010, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. April 2010–August 2010, Student, Air Transportation (2T2X1) Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
3. September 2010–April 2016, Air Transportation Supervisor, Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
4. April 2016–June 2016, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
5. June 2016–August 2017, Student, Intelligence Officer (14N) Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
6. September 2017–June 2020, C-130 Intelligence Analyst, 317th Operations Support Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
7. July 2020–October 2021, Officer in Charge of Intelligence Integration, 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
8. October 2021–June 2023, Chief, Intelligence Division, 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
9. July 2023–Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Mobility Command Airman of the Year, 2011
• Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award, 43rd Operations Group, 2011
• Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
• Airman Leadership School Commandant Award, 2013
• Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Officer Training School Distinguished Graduate, 2016
• Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and “C” device
• Army Commendation Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars
• AFROTC Northeast Region Instructor of the Year, 2024

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Airman First Class, April 4, 2010
• Senior Airman, December 1, 2011
• Staff Sergeant, August 1, 2013
• Second Lieutenant, June 17, 2016
• First Lieutenant, June 17, 2018
• Captain, June 17, 2020

Current as of August 2025.

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ROTC Training Instructor and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7203
Email: mayra.bendezu@manhattan.edu

Technical Sergeant Mayra K. Hubbard is a ROTC Training Instructor for Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Riverdale, New York. TSgt Hubbard is responsible for training an average of 90 cadets annually across the New York City metropolitan area, including cadets from 30 cross-town institutions partnered with Detachment 560.

She also manages personnel-related responsibilities for all active duty and Air Force Institute of Technology students assigned to the unit.

TSgt Hubbard was born in Peru and raised in Westchester County, New York, from the age of five. She graduated from White Plains High School before joining the United States Air Force in October 2012.

Her background includes extensive experience in both technical and administrative roles, including assignments within Military Personnel Flight and Commander Support Staff specialties. Throughout her career, she has served at installations in Texas, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey and New York.

Education

• 2013, Personnel Apprentice Technical Training, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
• 2017, Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
• 2018, Associate of Applied Science in Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force
• 2020, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Part I, National Defense University
• 2022, Academic Instructor Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Assignments

1. October 2012–November 2012, Student, Basic Military Training, 331st Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. December 2012–January 2013, Student, Personnel Technical Training School, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
3. January 2013–May 2015, Personnel Support Technician, Detachment 7 Commander Support Staff, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts
4. June 2015–December 2016, Customer Service Technician, 647th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
5. January 2017–March 2018, Commander Support Staff Personnel Actions, 647th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
6. April 2018–October 2018, Force Management Supervisor, 87th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
7. October 2018–February 2021, Career Development Supervisor, 87th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
8. February 2021–February 2022, NCOIC, Commander Support Staff, 305th Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
9. February 2022–Present, ROTC Training Instructor, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Riverdale, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Achievement Medal

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Airman Basic, October 2, 2012
• Airman First Class, November 30, 2012
• Senior Airman, March 30, 2015
• Staff Sergeant, December 1, 2017
• Technical Sergeant, February 1, 2022

Current as of December 2022.

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Contract Specialist and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7959
Email: rmccoy03@manhattan.edu

Dr. Rozela McCoy is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York. She serves as a Contract Specialist supporting the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and helps develop future leaders commissioned into the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.

Prior to her current position, Dr. McCoy served 34 years in the United States Air Force. She was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 87th Civil Engineer Group Chief at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. In that role, she provided management and oversight for two squadrons while advising, implementing and monitoring the group commander’s policies, programs and standards. She also served as the senior enlisted advocate and adviser on training, professional development and operational effectiveness for more than 1,300 personnel across three campuses.

Dr. McCoy also served 28 years as an educator with the New York City Department of Education in Brooklyn, New York. She taught Regents Living Environment (Biology) to 9th-, 10th- and 12th-grade students and adapted laboratory instruction to virtual learning environments during remote instruction. She additionally served as Lead Teacher for Regents Living Environment and later as a Dean of Students, supporting instructional leadership and student discipline policy implementation.

Dr. McCoy is a member of the United Federation of Teachers Retired Teachers Chapter and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is also the author of “Nonadministrative Employees’ Perceptions of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in an Urban Public High School.”

Education

• 1995, Associate of Science in Liberal Arts, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, New York
• 1998, Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course (Airman Leadership Course), by distance learning
• 1998, Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, Hunter College, New York, New York
• 2001, Master of Science in Education, Lehman College, Bronx, New York
• 2003, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by distance learning
• 2010, Associate of Applied Science in Maintenance Production Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2010, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by distance learning
• 2011, Master of Science in Education, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• 2014, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University, by distance learning
• 2015, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Development Course, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
• 2015, Civil Engineer Superintendent Course, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
• 2024, Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Assignments

1. October 1989–October 1993, Production Control Specialist, 6500th Civil Engineering Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California
2. November 1993–November 2001, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Operations Flight, 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey
3. September 1998–January 2024, Teacher, 7–12 Biology, New York City Department of Education, Brooklyn, New York
4. July 2001–August 2001, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Customer Service, Operation Southern Watch, Ali Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait
5. December 2001–November 2014, Superintendent, Operations Flight, 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
6. February 2002–June 2002, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Self-Help and Customer Service, Operation Enduring Freedom, Seeb Air Base, Oman
7. November 2008–March 2009, Chief, Customer Service, 305th Civil Engineer Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey
8. October 2010–December 2012, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command Support, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
9. July 2012–August 2012, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command Support, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
10. December 2014–September 2018, Manager, Operations and Training Support, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
11. April 2015–September 2015, TRIRIGA Augmentation Team Program Manager, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
12. January 2016–July 2016, TRIRIGA Lessons Learned Program Manager, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
13. October 2018–December 2019, Flight Chief, Expeditionary Flight, 452nd Civil Engineer Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California
14. January 2020–February 2022, Squadron Superintendent, 452nd Civil Engineer Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California
15. March 2022–November 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), 87th Civil Engineer Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey

Major Awards and Decorations

• Legion of Merit
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
• Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with eight oak leaf clusters

Other Achievements

• 1993, Military Citizen Award, Airman Leadership School
• 2007, 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Quarter
• 2010, 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the Quarter
• 2015, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, E8 Key Personnel Listing
• 2016, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, E8 Key Personnel Listing
• 2019, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, E8 Key Personnel Listing

Publication

“Nonadministrative Employees’ Perception of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in an Urban Public High School,” Scholar Works, May 2024

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Chief Master Sergeant, February 2020

Current as of October 2025.