Col. Elizabeth Mathias is the Permanent Professor and Head, Department of English and Fine Arts, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She leads 28 faculty and staff in teaching more than 2,000 cadets each year to develop future leaders who can read, think, and communicate. Col. Mathias directs DFEN's course of instruction, English major, faculty development, military instructor pipeline, and department operations. She oversees department programs including the international journal War, Literature, and the Arts, nationally-ranked USAFA Forensics program, exhibits in the Permanent Professors Art Gallery, faculty publication and presentations, and cadet summer research program projects, as well as cadet programs Icarus and Steel Script.

Col. Mathias entered the Air Force in 2001 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. She served most recently as the Director of Public Affairs for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command. She led the Public Affairs Functional Group at the Joint Planning Support Element, Norfolk, Va., the public affairs office at the 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and public affairs planning and press operations at Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her previous staff assignments include serving as the Director, Strategy, Plans, and Assessment for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Strategist and Speechwriter for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, team lead for National Capitol Region engagements for the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, and Public Affairs advisor to the Commander, Air Force Materiel Command. She previously served as an assistant professor of English in the Department of English and Fine Arts at the United States Air Force Academy. She is a fully qualified Joint Officer.

Doctor of Philosophy degree in English, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (2017)

Master of Arts degree in English, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania (2002)

Distinguished Graduate and Master of Science, Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, National Defense University, Norfolk, Virginia (2020)

Bachelor of Science degree in English, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2001)

Joint Senior Public Affairs Course, Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (2018)

Public Affairs Qualification Course, Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland (2004)

Information Warfare Applications Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (2003)

Air Command and Staff College, in-residence equivalent program (2011)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (2008)

Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (2002)

Permanent Professor and Department Head, Department of English and Fine Arts, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2024-Present)

Director, Public Affairs, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2022-2024)

Director, Strategy, Plans, and Assessment, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Public Affairs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (2020-2022)

Functional Lead, Public Affairs, Joint Planning Support Element, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia (2017-2019)

Speechwriter and Strategist, Chairman’s Action Group, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (2013-2014)

Team Lead, National Capitol Region Engagements, Engagement Division, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (2011-2013)

Assistant Deputy for Operations and Assistant Professor, Department of English and Fine Arts, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado (2009-2011)

Chief, Press Operations, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Headquarters International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan (2008-2009)

Instructor, Department of English and Fine Arts, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado (2007-2008)

Chief, Public Affairs, 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana (2005-2007)

Public Affairs Advisor to the Commander, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2004-2005)

Public Affairs Action Officer, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2002-2004)

Group Achievement Award, Office of the Secretary of Defense (2023)

Lieutenant General Paul G. Cerjan Writing Award Joint Advanced Warfighting School (2020)

Communication Excellence Award, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (2012)

Outstanding Academy Educator, United States Air Force Academy (2011)

Award for Outstanding Wing Public Affairs Office, Air Force Space Command (2007)

Crisis Management Award, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (2004)

Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air and Space Achievement Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

NATO Medal (International Security Assistance Force)

Literature of the American West, American literature, material practice, spatial theory, women writers, indigenous writers, graphic forms, authenticity and artifact, experimental forms, ecocriticism