United States Air Force Academy

Dr. Sarah J. Bolton Assistant Professor, Department of Computer & Cyber Sciences · Director, Academy Center for Cyberspace Research

I teach and design courses across the computer science and cyber curriculum, with a focus on programming fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, languages and machines, and senior-level colloquia. My work sits at the intersection of computer science education, cyber operations, and applied machine learning, with an emphasis on preparing future officers to think clearly, build robust systems, and lead in complex technical environments.

24 years of U.S. Air Force service. Prior enlisted Airborne Spanish Cryptologic Linguist with 1,262 flight hours on the EC-130H and RC-135. Commissioned via OTS in 2013; cyberspace operations officer with operational experience in Colombia, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Djibouti.

Computer Science Education Programming in C & Python Data Structures & Algorithms Cyber Operations Applied Machine Learning

View CV Teaching Portfolio

At a Glance

Current RolesAssistant Professor, USAFA; Director, ACCR; Dissertation Chair, Capitol Technology University
Teaching18 course offerings across 8 distinct courses
PedagogyDean's Teaching Certificate; Course Design Institute; MTCC Cohort 8
ResearchApplied ML for aerospace data; cyber operations; CS education
LocationColorado Springs, Colorado

Currently

Spring 2026

Rebuilding CS210 (Programming in C) in my second year as Course Director
Chairing two doctoral dissertations and serving on five committees at Capitol Technology University
Co-authored NAECON 2026 submission with cadet mentees (under review)
Presented SoTL poster on retrieval practice in CS110 (USAFA SoTL Conference, 2026)
Scoping a new SoTL research project for MTCC, with results to present in 2027
Preparing for the runDisney Dopey Challenge, January 2027

Teaching

Courses Taught & Directed

Conceptual foundations, real-world relevance, and structured support for future officers and technical leaders. Across my time at USAFA I have delivered 18 course offerings spanning eight distinct courses in the computer science and cyber curriculum.

CS110 5 offerings

Introduction to Programming (Python)

Foundations of programming · Problem solving

Introduces core programming constructs and problem-solving skills in Python. Emphasizes clear mental models for variables, control flow, functions, and basic data structures through frequent, low-stakes practice.

CS210 4 offerings

Programming in C

Course Director · Systems programming & memory

A second course in programming focusing on C, pointers, and memory management. As Course Director, I lead a team of three to four instructors plus myself, overseeing course structure, assessments, and multi-section coordination to ensure consistent learning outcomes across all sections.

CS220 3 offerings

Data Structures & Systems Programming

Course Director · Core CS sequence

Covers arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, and related systems concepts. As Course Director, I lead a team of three to four instructors plus myself, and focus on helping students understand why specific data structures are chosen and how they affect performance and maintainability.

CS380 1 offering

Design & Analysis of Algorithms

Complexity & algorithm design

Studies classic algorithm design paradigms and complexity analysis. Emphasizes reasoning about tradeoffs and connecting algorithms to cyber and operationally relevant scenarios.

CS426 1 offering*

Languages & Machines

Compilers & automata theory

Explores models of computation and their role in compilers and language design. Highlights how formal models underpin the tools and languages cadets will encounter in modern software and cyber environments. *Partial offering during the government shutdown.

CS405 / CyS405 1 offering

CS & Cyber Science Colloquium (Fall)

Course Director · Fall half of the year-long colloquium

Fall half of a year-long senior-level colloquium series designed to broaden cadets' understanding of computing and cyber careers, ethics, and professional life. See the Colloquium & ACCR section for details. Continues in the spring as CS406/CyS406.

CS406 / CyS406 1 offering

CS & Cyber Science Colloquium (Spring)

Course Director · Spring half of the year-long colloquium

Spring continuation of the senior-level colloquium series begun in CS405/CyS405 in the fall. Together the two courses form a year-long arc of speakers, professional development, and reflection on careers in computing and cyber.

CS453 / CS454 2 offerings

CS & Cyber Science Capstone

Capstone mentor · Applied projects

Year-long senior capstone (CS453 in fall, CS454 in spring) supporting applied project work that integrates the breadth of the CS and cyber curriculum. I mentor capstone teams as their work translates technical skills into operational impact.

Teaching Development & Recognition

Dean's Teaching Certificate, United States Air Force Academy
Course Design Institute (2025)
Mastery of Teaching Certification Community (MTCC), Cohort 8

Teaching Philosophy Highlights

Emphasis on conceptual and framework-based learning, not just syntax
Frequent, low-stakes practice and feedback to build confidence over time
Real-world and operational examples to reinforce relevance and transfer
Clear structure, expectations, and scaffolding for all learners

Teaching cadets in a USAFA classroom, mountain view through the window — Teaching at USAFA, with the Front Range visible through the window.

Colloquium & ACCR

Connecting Cadets to the Broader Cyber Community

The Colloquium series and the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research connect cadets and faculty with the operational, industry, and academic communities they will lead and serve alongside.

CS405 / CyS405 Colloquium

The Computer Science and Cyber Science Colloquium brings in guest speakers from across the Department of Defense, industry, government, and academia to broaden cadets' perspectives on technical careers, leadership, and professional life.

As the faculty lead, I curate speakers and topics that:

Connect classroom concepts to real missions and operational environments
Highlight diverse career paths in computing and cyber
Address ethics, decision-making, and leadership challenges
Provide practical life skills and guidance beyond graduation

Academy Center for Cyberspace Research

As Director of the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research (ACCR), I coordinate cyberspace-related research across the Academy, connecting cadets and faculty with external partners and opportunities.

Research Focus Areas:

System Security Analysis Network and platform red team assessments; provably secure software; objective network security stack security and availability measurement
Immersive Environments Education; command and control; directed engagements
Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy Multi-vehicle cooperation; swarm area defense and ISR
Business Process Automation Workflow analysis and encoding

My role includes managing research collaborations and CRADAs, supporting cadet and faculty projects, facilitating summer research placements, and integrating research back into the classroom and colloquium.

Research

Applied ML, Aerospace & Cyber Data, and CS Education

My research interests lie at the intersection of machine learning, aerospace systems, cyber operations, and computer science education. I am particularly interested in how data and AI techniques can support operational decision making, and how we can design learning experiences that produce adaptive, resilient technical leaders.

AI & Machine Learning Aerospace Data Cyber Operations CS Education Human–Machine Teaming

Selected Publications

Under Review Bolton, S. et al. Aerospace ML / multi-sensor classification work with cadet co-authors. Submitted to IEEE NAECON 2026.
Poster Bolton, S. "Retrieval Practice in Action: Reflections on Repeated Testing in an Introductory Programming Course." USAFA Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, 2026.
Journal Bolton, S. et al. "ADS-B Classification Using Multivariate Long Short-Term Memory–Fully Convolutional Networks and Data Reduction Techniques." The Journal of Supercomputing, 2023.
Conference Bolton, S. et al. "Multi-Sensor Aircraft Classification." 2023 Congress in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Applied Computing (CSCE), Las Vegas, NV, 2023.
Conference Bolton, S. et al. "Aircraft Classification Using Flight Phase Identification." IEEE National Aerospace and Electronics Conference (NAECON), Dayton, OH, 2023.

Student Research & Mentoring

I mentor cadet research projects that combine programming, data analysis, and cyber or aerospace applications. When possible, I encourage students to present their work at internal symposia or external venues, and to think about how research can inform their future roles as officers.

Since January 2026, I have also served as a Dissertation Chair at Capitol Technology University, currently chairing two doctoral advisees and serving on the committees of five additional candidates in computer science and cyber-related disciplines.

I am also interested in collaborations related to cyberspace operations, AI/ML in operational contexts, and computing education research.