U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 2nd Class Emilia Dobek has been named a 2026 Harry S. Truman Scholar. She is the 28th cadet in the institution’s history to receive the award, which recognizes college juniors with exceptional leadership potential committed to public service.
Dobek represents the top-tier leader’s the Academy is committed to developing.
“Cadet Dobek has excelled in her formation as a citizen, a leader, a warrior, and a scholar committed to the service of our nation,” said Brig. Gen Valpiani, Dean of the Faculty. “She exemplifies the intellectual rigor and moral courage we strive to cultivate at the Academy, in preparation for the demands of modern war and peace. I am deeply proud of her accomplishments, and of all the Academy teammates who have invested in her education, military training, and athletic development.”
An astronautical engineering major with a GPA above 3.9 and three academic minors, Dobek was named among 55 scholars selected from 781 applicants nominated by 305 institutions. She served as the team lead for a classified cislunar policy research team sponsored by the Pentagon and the Institute for Future Conflict, acted as a U.S. delegate to the Space Generation Congress in Italy to develop orbital debris policy for the U.N., and conducted space deterrence research for NATO.
As the international liaison for the i5 Space program, Dobek developed relationships with nine international partner nations, facilitating collaborative space education and multilateral space policy development, and growing the organization to more than 1,000 active members.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected as a Truman Scholar and to join this amazing community dedicated to public service and leading positive change,” said Dobek. “The mentorship that I have received throughout my time at the Academy and the support of my loved ones have been instrumental in shaping me into who I am today. I look forward to building upon the lessons and experiences of the Academy through this scholarship, further preparing myself to serve this great nation.”
According to the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, created by Congress in 1975 as the official federal memorial to the 33rd president, the award provides up to $30,000 for graduate study.