Capt Donnelle January is an Instructor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Capt January earned his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps from the University of South Florida with a master’s degree in computer engineering in 2020.

Prior to his current position, he served in several roles at the 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron. He filled in as the Interim Flight Commander for the squadron’s Weapons and Tactics shop, where he managed an eight-member team responsible for providing guidance on development practices for the unit’s 18 operational development teams. He then served as a Cyberspace Capabilities Developer, where he designed and engineered state-of-the-art technical cyberspace operations capabilities, tools, hardware, and techniques. He concluded his time in the 90th COS as the Deputy Flight Commander, Cyberspace Capabilities Development, where he oversaw 102 developers across 3 mission areas to rapidly deliver capabilities supporting various agencies within and across the Air Force and Department of Defense. Prior to going on active duty, Capt January worked as a software engineer for a defense tech company. In that capacity, he built expertise in agile development processes, continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, and modern software tools while delivering satellite mission planning software integrated into fielded Department of Defense systems.

Master of Science, Computer Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (2020)

Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (2019)

Associate of Science, Computer Engineering, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL (2016)

Instructor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (June 2025 – Present)

Deputy Flight Commander, Cyber Capabilities Development, 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (January 2024 – June 2025)

Cyber Capabilities Developer, 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas (September 2021 – January 2024) – Interim Flight Commander, Weapons and Tactics, 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas (December 2021 – April 2022)

Student, Undergraduate Cyber Training, Keesler Air Force Base, MS (January 2021 – September 2021)

Software Engineer II, Peraton, Melbourne, FL (September 2020 – January 2021)

Air and Space Commendation Medal

Air and Space Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster

2021 AFCEA Award (Top Contributor), Undergraduate Cyber Training