Meet the Cadre and Staff

Detachment 560 Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies

P: 718-862-7903
E: rnova01@manhattan.edu 

Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Nova is the Commander and Professor of Air and Space Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 560 at Manhattan University, Bronx, New York. As the Commander, he oversees all operations and leads a cadre of instructors and noncommissioned officers responsible for the training of over 105 cadets from 15 colleges, universities, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy aspiring 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. Lt Col Nova received his commission in May of 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 Det 560, he served as the Operations Flight Commander, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this capacity, he led 134 personnel responsible for maintaining $2.2B in base infrastructure supporting two Combatant Command Headquarters, three Space Force Field Commands, an Army Field Command, three Space Force Deltas, 2 Wings, and 111 tenant units. He directed the Unit Control Center overseeing 392 personnel during emergencies and exercises. In 2021, Lt Col Nova commanded the AFROTC Detachment 159 and was the Acting Chairman of the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. He oversaw operations involving recruiting, motivating, training, and evaluating approximately 180 cadets aspiring to become Air Force and Space Force Officers. Lt Col Nova’s expeditionary experience includes 3 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. Additionally, he represented the Air Force at domestic and international competitions, most notably earning a silver medal at the 2016 NATO Air Command Championships.

EDUCATION 

2009 Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 2009 Graduate, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence.
2015 Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Graduate, Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Ks.
2022 Master of Military Operational Studies, Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth Ks.

ASSIGNMENTS 

1. December 2009 - June 2012, Infrastructure Engineer, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss. (Deployed August 2011 - March 2012, AfghanNational Army Embedded Training Team Senior Engineer Advisor, Regional Command - Capital, Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan).
2. July 2012 - September 2013, Deputy Commander Engineering Flight, Chief of Programs Management, 65 Civil Engineer Squadron, Lajes AB, Portugal.
3. October 2013 - October 2016, Civil Engineer Flight Commander, Executive Officer, 799 Air Base Group, Creech AFB, Nev. (Deployed January-August 2015, Engineering Flight Commander, 386 Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait).
4. November 2016 - July 2019, Command Installation & Infrastructure Strategist, Plans, Programs and Analysis Directorate, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, Germany. (Deployed August 2018 - March 2019, Kabul Security Engineer, Combined Joint Engineering Directorate, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, New Kabul Compound, Kabul, Afghanistan).
5. August 2019 – June 2021, Commander, Operations Officer, Education Officer, AFROTC Detachment 159, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
6. July 2021 – June 2022, Student, Command and General Staff College, Air Force Element, Fort Leavenworth,Ks.
7. July 2022 – May 2024, Ops Flight Commander, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Co.
8. June 2024 – Present, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan College, Bronx, NY.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 

Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 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) 

Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

P: 718-862-7902
E: clovas01@manhattan.edu 

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher M. Lovas is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and the Operations Officer, Education Officer, and Recruiting Officer, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 560 at Manhattan College, Bronx, New York.

He is charged with conducting and managing the education, training, and accession of future Air Force and Space Force leaders. Lt Col Lovas is a 2010 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. While stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base he served as Executive Officer to the Commander of the 47th Mission Support Group. He was a Distinguished Graduate of Minuteman III ICBM operations training in 2012 and served in numerous positions while stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He crossflowed into the Intelligence career field in 2016, and has since served at Fort Hood, Peterson AFB, and Fort Meade. He is married to MAJ Amy Lovas, U.S. Army, an AH-64 pilot who is currently serving as an instructor in the Department of Mathematics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

EDUCATION 

2010 Bachelor of Science degree in Basic Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO 2010 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 
2012 Distinguished Graduate, ICBM Operations Training (REACT-A), Vandenberg AFB, CA 2013 Graduate Certificate Program in Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy, and Proliferation, Air Force  Institute of Technology, by correspondence 
2014 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL 
2016 Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX 
2021 Master of Military Operational Art & Science degree, with a 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 AFB, TX. 
2. September 2011 – March 2012, Student, ICBM operations training (REACT-A), Vandenberg AFB, CA.
3. March 2012 – March 2013, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron,  Malmstrom AFB, MT. 
4. March 2013 – April 2013, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490 MS, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 
5. April 2013 – September 2013, Deputy Flight Commander, 490 MS, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 6. September 2013 – March 2014, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander Evaluator, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 
6. March 2014 – July 2014, Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490 MS, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 8. July 2014 – December 2014, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490 MS, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 
7. January 2015 – May 2015, Assistant Flight Commander, 490 MS, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 10. May 2015 – November 2015, Missile Combat Crew Commander Instructor, 341st Operations Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT. 
8. July 2016 – February 2017, Chief of Training/ASOC Intelligence Duty Officer, 712th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Hood, TX. 
9. February 2017 – June 2018, Support Flight Commander/ISR Liaison Officer, 3d Air Support  Operations Group, Fort Hood, TX. 
10. June 2018 – December 2019, Chief, Acquisition and Integration Branch, ISR Ops Division, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO. 
11. January 2020 – June 2021, Section Chief, Daily Operations Inspection, Inspector General, Headquarters United States Space Force, Peterson AFB, CO. 
12. July 2021 – September 2023, Chief, Open Source Intelligence Branch, Intelligence Directorate,  Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, MD. 
13. September 2023 – May 2024, Senior Intelligence Watch Officer, Intelligence Directorate, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, MD. 
14. June 2024 – May 2025, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Operations Flight  Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan College, Bronx, NY 18. June 2025 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Operations Officer, Education  Officer, and Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan College, Bronx, NY 

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 

1. September 2023 – May 2024, United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, MD. 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 

Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal  
Air Force Commendation Medal, 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) 

Operations Flight Commander and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

P: 718-862-7944
E: rsmith11@manhattan.edu

Captain Ryan C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University, Bronx, New York, where he leverages his education in international relations and his background as an Intelligence Officer to instruct over 100 lessons annually on National Security Studies and Commissioning Preparation. As the Operations Flight Commander, he leads, recruits, trains, counsels, and evaluates 80 prospective DAF officers from 15 colleges and universities across New York City and ensures all students are successfully trained on 59 objectives in both joint and total force environments. He enlisted in 2010, commissioned through Officer Training School in 2016, and holds a master's degree in diplomacy from Norwich University. Capt Smith has completed six deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Djibouti, and served as the OIC of Intelligence Operations in support of two C-130J Airlift Squadrons, and as the Division Chief supporting weapons and tactics development in the DAF’s only Operational Test & Evaluation Wing.

EDUCATION 

2008 Bachelor of Arts in History, Manhattan College, NY
2013 Associate of Arts in Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force
2013 Airman Leadership School, Pope Army Airfield, NC
2016 Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Norwich University, VT
2016 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2017 Mobility Air Forces Intelligence Formal Training Unit, JB-MDL, NJ
2020 F-35 Lighting II Intelligence Formal Training Unit, Eglin AFB, FL
2021 Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Course, Pensacola NAS, FL
2023 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

ASSIGNMENTS 

1. February 2010 – April 2010, student – Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX 
2. April 2010 – August 2010, student – Air Transportation (2T2X1) Course, Lackland AFB, TX 
3. September 2010 – April 2016, Air Transportation Supervisor, Pope AAF, Fort Bragg, NC
4. April 2016 – June 2016, student – Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
5. June 2016 – August 2017, student, Intelligence Officer (14N) Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX
6. September 2017 – June 2020, C-130 Intelligence Analyst, 317th Operations Support Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX 
7. July 2020 – October 2021, OIC of Intelligence Integration, 28th Test & Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL
8. October 2021 – June 2023, Chief, Intelligence Division, 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, FL 
9. July 2023 – Current, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC/DET 560, Bronx, NY

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 

Air Mobility Command Airman of the Year, 2011
Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award, 43d 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 Apr 4, 2010
Senior Airman Dec 1, 2011
Staff Seargent Aug 1, 2013
Second Lieutenant Jun 17, 2016
First Lieutenant Jun 17, 2018
Captain Jun 17, 2020

(Current as of August 2025) 

ROTC Training Instructor and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

P: 718-862-7203
E: mayra.bendezu@manhattan.edu 

TSgt Mayra K. Hubbard is a ROTC Training Instructor at AFROTC Detachment 560, University, Riverdale, New York. TSgt Hubbard is responsible for training an average of 90 cadets every year throughout the New York City area which includes 30 cross-town institutions partnered with Detachment 560. She is also in charge of all Personnel Management related items for all active duty and Air Force Institute of Technology students assigned to the unit.

TSgt Hubbard was born in Peru and grew up in Westchester County, New York since the age of five. She graduated from White Plains High School before joining the US Air Force in October 2012. She has extensive experience in both technical and administrative positions. Her background includes various assignments in the Military Personnel Flight and Commander Support Staff specialties. Sergeant Hubbard has been assigned to bases in Texas, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York.

EDUCATION 

2013 Personnel Apprentice Technical Training, Keesler AFB, Miss
2017 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
2018 Associate of Applied Science, 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 AFB, Alab

ASSIGNMENTS 

1. Oct 2012 - Nov 2012, Student, Basic Military Training, 331st Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 2. Dec 2012 - Jan 2013, Student, Personnel Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Miss. 3. Jan 2013 - May 2015, Personnel Support Technician, Detachment 7 Commander Support Staff, Hanscom AFB,  Mass. 
2. Jun 2015 - Dec 2016, Customer Service Technician, 647th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii 
3. Jan 2017 - Mar 2018, Commander Support Staff Personnel Actions, 647th Civil Engineer Squadron, JB Pearl  Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii 
4. Apr 2018 - Oct 2018, Force Management Supervisor, 87th Force Support Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,  N.J. 
5. Oct 2018 - Feb 2021, Career Development Supervisor, 87th Force Support Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,  N.J. 
6. Feb 2021 - Feb 2022, NCOIC, Commander Support Staff, 305th Operations Support Squadron, JB McGuire-Dix Lakehurst, N.J. 
7. Feb 2022 - Present, ROTC Training Instructor, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Riverdale, N.Y.

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) 

NCOIC- Administration Management

E: jwinright01@manhattan.edu 

Contract Specialist and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

P: 718-862-7959
E: rmccoy03@manhattan.edu 

Rozela McCoy is Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York. She is a Contract Specialist supporting the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program, developing future leaders to commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and 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, for the 87th Civil Engineer Group, Joint Base McGuire Dix/Lakehurst, New Jersey. Dr. McCoy 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 group commander’s senior enlisted advocate and adviser on training, professional development, and overall operational effectiveness for over 1,300 personnel across 3 campuses.

Dr. McCoy served 28 years as an educator with the New York City Department of Education, Brooklyn, New York. Dr. McCoy instructed 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students in Regents Living Environment (Biology), managing diverse classroom sizes from 20 to 34 students. She transitioned traditional laboratory activities into virtual labs to support student learning during remote instruction, ensuring continuity of lab-based science education. She served as Lead Teacher for Regents Living Environment, providing mentorship, academic leadership, and instructional support within the science department. As a Dean of Students, Dr. McCoy assisted the school principal in ensuring that the school’s policies and procedures related to student discipline referrals and discipline action plans met state, federal, and New York City requirements.

Dr. McCoy is a member of the United Federation of Teachers, Retired Teachers Chapter and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is the author of “Nonadministrative employees’ perceptions of positive behavioral interventions and supports in and urban public high school.”

EDUCATION 

1995 Associate of Science, Liberal Arts, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, N.Y. 1998 Noncommissioned Officer Preparatory Course (Airman Leadership Course), by distance learning 1998 Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, Hunter College, New York, N.Y.
2001 Master of Science, Education, Lehman College, Bronx, N.Y.
2003 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by distance learning
2010 Associate of Applied Science, Maintenance Production Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by distance learning
2011 Master of Science, Education, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn.
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, Ga. 2015 Civil Engineer Superintendent Course, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2024 Doctorate of Philosophy, Education, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

ASSIGNMENTS 

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

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, Airmen 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) 

Operations Manager

P: 718-862-7201
E: barmstrong01@manhattan.edu