CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. MICHELLE ATCHISON, PH.D.

On 2026-08-20, Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. MICHELLE ATCHISON, PH.D." in the House.

CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. MICHELLE ATCHISON, PH.D.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 134 (Thursday, August 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 134 (Thursday, August 20, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E797] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. MICHELLE ATCHISON, PH.D. ______ HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, August 20, 2026 Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable career of Dr. Michelle Atchison, Ph.D., as she retires from the University of Texas at San Antonio as the Director of Federal Relations and the Senior National Security Strategist. Dr. Atchison dedicated her career to selflessly serving our Nation, ensuring our armed forces remained at the forefront of innovation. Her commitment to service also extended to the San Antonio community, and I, along with the city's students are grateful for her contributions. Raised in a military family, Dr. Atchison learned the importance of service from an early age. Upon her graduation from the University of California at Los Angeles, she joined the United States Air Force-- launching a 27-year career, where she would rise to the rank of Colonel. Throughout Dr. Atchison's career, she continued her studies, earning a master's degree from the Catholic University of America and a Ph.D. from George Washington University. Throughout Colonel Atchison's Air Force career, she held senior military command and senior staff positions, including serving as Chief of the Science and Technology Division, USJFCOM Experimentation; Chief Scientist for Air Force Experimentation Office; and Senior Advisor for the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center. Colonel Atchison's leadership was instrumental in advancing projects that enhanced the operations of USCENTCOM and our NATO allies. Outside of her scientific roles, she also served as a Congressional Affairs and International Political Officer, where she led the restructuring of the Civil Air Patrol and the Air Force education processes. Following her career in the Air Force, Dr. Atchison spent 10 years in the private sector, where she led strategic partnership development for advanced technology laboratories. In 2013, Dr. Atchison joined the University of Texas System as their Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations for National Security. In 2021, Dr. Atchison joined the University of Texas at San Antonio. For the last five years, Dr. Atchison has been a remarkable advocate for the university. She has been a force in the university's emergence as a leading institution of higher learning. There is no doubt that current and future students will benefit greatly from her work. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable career of Dr. Michelle Atchison, Ph.D. Her leadership and selflessness to serving our Nation will be long remembered. May future generations of leaders look to her as a powerful example of bravery and dedication in service to those around them. ____________________