Feb. 05, 2026
Melissa Cronin, a health science major and president of UD’s Student Veterans Association, was named Outstanding Airman of the Year by the Ohio National Guard this month.
Cronin serves as a senior airman with the 178th Wing. In a Jan. 10 Facebook post, the 178th Wing highlighted how Cronin's "innovation in machine learning and signals analysis boosted mission effectiveness, accelerated analyst readiness and helped the Wing earn a Top 5 USAF rating" during a combat readiness inspection, assessing unit ability to execute mission-essential tasks in high-threat, contested environments. (A “Top 5 USAF rating” means her unit finished in the top five of all 35 Air Force and Air National Guard units that took part in the inspection)
Cronin’s recognition reflects her leadership in her unit and on campus, where she represents and supports student veterans, active service members and their families through UD’s Student Veterans Association.
“We are very proud to have Melissa representing UD,” said Ron Johnson, UD Military and Veteran Programs and Services director. “While it does not surprise me that she earned this recognition, it is still an incredibly impressive accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated.”