Mentors and fellows unite to advance innovation and readiness
Jess Smith and Kayla Kwolek (Strider) connected at the Education with Industry (EWI) Mid-Tour event in Orlando, FL. Kwolek is an EWI fellow on assignment to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, primarily focused on supply chain risk management.
(Composite image by Kelly Machart | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Through the Air Force Education with Industry (EWI) program, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is forging powerful connections between research, leadership, and industry. The program is driving forward the mission to build, sustain, and retain a workforce that is mission-ready and capable of confronting the national security challenges of today and tomorrow.
In January, Jess Smith, a senior cybersecurity researcher, had the chance to attend the EWI Mid-Tour event in Orlando, FL, where she met with PNNL’s current EWI fellow, Kayla Kwolek (Strider). Kwolek, an EWI fellow assigned to Peterson Space Force Base, is one of many professionals in the program working on national security’s cutting edge. This face-to-face meeting provided a valuable opportunity to evaluate Kwolek’s ongoing work and look ahead to her next steps in this 10-month assignment.
“This event was a unique chance to check in with our fellow on her current research efforts and explore the challenges ahead in the remaining months of her assignment,” said Smith. “It was also an opportunity to connect with the broader EWI community—mentors and fellows from across the Air Force and industry—each of whom is tackling national security challenges from different angles.”
The EWI program is not just about today’s mission—it’s about tomorrow’s leadership. Managed by the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Civilian Institution Programs office, EWI places mid-career Air Force officers and civilians into strategic, hands-on assignments with leading public and private sector companies, as well as Department of Energy national laboratories like PNNL. The goal is to provide participants with real-world exposure to industry best practices, business acumen, and cutting-edge research that can dramatically enhance their service when they return to the Air Force.
“By connecting Air Force and Space Force professionals to national laboratories like PNNL, we not only elevate their understanding of the laboratory’s capabilities, but we also open up new pathways for collaboration with industry partners,” explained retired Air Force Colonel Kabrena Rodda, PNNL’s Air Force and Space Force subsector manager. “These collaborations give us a deeper insight into where and how to best apply our research efforts, ultimately strengthening national security and spurring innovation.”
One of the most exciting aspects of the EWI program is how it allows fellows like Kwolek to step into advanced research while still serving their respective branches. Currently, Kwolek is on detail to PNNL, where she’s contributing to the supply chain risk management portfolio. As part of a team, she’s helping explore the life cycle and subcomponents of the U.S. national supply chain—identifying big-picture cybersecurity risks and creating solutions that can scale across the nation.
In addition to her primary project, the EWI program offers fellows a broader view of PNNL’s vast array of strategic initiatives. From operational artificial intelligence and nuclear forensics to critical minerals and materials research, the program gives participants the opportunity to dive into diverse research areas, enhancing their ability to approach national security challenges from multiple angles.
“Being at PNNL has truly broadened my perspective,” said Kwolek. “The exposure to different research areas has been eye-opening. I’m constantly challenged by the brilliant minds I meet, and when I return to the Air Force, I’ll have a much more well-rounded understanding of how we can solve pressing national security issues with innovation at the forefront.”
Through these collaborations, PNNL and the EWI program are laying a foundation for a future where the Air Force, Space Force, and national laboratories work collaboratively with industry to strengthen national security, foster innovation, and develop leadership that can adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape.
To learn more about PNNL’s impactful partnerships with the EWI program and others, visit PNNL Education and PNNL Industry Partnerships. To learn more about the EWI program, visit the AFIT Civil Institution website.
Published: March 31, 2026