The U.S. Space Force and Arizona State University signed an agreement Tuesday making ASU the newest member of the service’s University Partnership Program.
USSF Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Lisa Costa joined ASU President Michael M. Crow on ASU’s Tempe campus to finalize the agreement and to learn more about the university’s space initiatives and capabilities.
Home to the School of Earth and Space Exploration and named U.S. News & World Report’s most innovative university in the nation for seven consecutive years, ASU will now assemble partnerships and models to collaborate with the Space Force on research and education.
“Our partnership today with ASU will pave a path to higher education and workforce development,” Costa said. “With a stellar reputation in space engineering, defense research and innovation, ASU is the perfect addition to the program and will be instrumental in helping us take the Space Force mission into the future.”
ASU is one of the fastest-growing research universities in the nation, topping $677 million in research expenditures in 2021. ASU is ranked sixth in the U.S. for research expenditures among universities without a medical school. The university also ranked first in the U.S. in transdisciplinary research and third nationally for NASA-funded research expenditures.
“We are certainly no stranger to space,” Crow said. “ASU is a leader in exploring the universe, from planets to asteroids and from the Milky Way to the most distant galaxies. We are excited to work with Space Force to continue on this path toward discovery and insight.”
ASU President Michael M. Crow signs a memorandum of understanding June 7 with the U.S. Space Force as USSF Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Lisa Costa and Col. David Franklin, U.S. Space Command inspector general, observe. Photo by Andy DeLisle/ASU
ASU’s faculty, researchers, staff and students have participated in more than 20 space missions. The university leads the upcoming NASA space missions Psyche and LunaH-Map, and developed and runs instruments for scientific missions to the moon, asteroids and planets.
ASU scientists and engineers are currently advancing various projects for future and current space missions, including:
“We embrace this new U.S. Space Force partnership and look forward to future collaboration at all possible levels,” Crow said. “Whether we help develop the Space Force workforce through formal education or assist with initiatives to bolster national defense objectives, we are all in.”
An artist rendering shows a Defense Support Program satellite in orbit. As an example of a U.S. Space Force mission, DSP satellites are a key part of North America’s early warning systems. DSP satellites help protect the U.S. and its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations. Image courtesy of U.S. Space Force
ASU’s experience with defense research will be instrumental in creating future programs with the USSF. The university maintains multiple programs, centers and initiatives with the Department of Defense that address current and emerging security challenges — such as cybersecurity, disinformation, artificial intelligence and homeland security operations.
USSF’s University Partnership Program seeks to recruit, educate and develop their workforce, along with engaging a world-class research and technology base to secure the nation’s interests and maintain an advantage in space.
The UPP’s four goals are to establish opportunities for world-class research, advanced academic degrees, and workforce and leadership development for USSF Guardians; identify and pursue areas of mutual interest with member universities, individually and collectively; establish scholarship, internship and mentorship opportunities for university students and ROTC cadets; and recruit and develop diverse officer, enlisted and civilian Guardians with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Top photo: A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a GPS III-5 satellite into orbit launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 17, 2021. Photo courtesy of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
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During this year’s Tony Awards on June 12, the Broadway League’s Vice Chair of the Road and Arizona’s only Tony voter, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, will dazzle the red-carpet ceremony in an original dress by Phoenix designer Melissa Torres.“Fashion designers are artists,” said Jennings-Roggensack, vice president for cultural affairs at Arizona State University and executive director of A…
During this year’s Tony Awards on June 12, the Broadway League’s Vice Chair of the Road and Arizona’s only Tony voter, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, will dazzle the red-carpet ceremony in an original dress by Phoenix designer Melissa Torres.
“Fashion designers are artists,” said Jennings-Roggensack, vice president for cultural affairs at Arizona State University and executive director of ASU Gammage. “Creative and passionate award events like the Tonys give local designers a chance to be seen, connecting the local fashion community to the world of Broadway. It has been an honor to not only work with a local designer, but someone with such immense talent and passion for her craft.” 
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack at the dress reveal on the ASU Gammage stage on May 31. Download Full Image
The dress made specifically for Jennings-Roggensack is the first Torres design to ever hit the red carpet.
“This is my first official red-carpet debut,” Torres said. “A huge part of my goal as a designer is to create outfits for the red carpet. So it’s a dream come true.”
Also known as Mia, Torres was born and raised in Phoenix and has always had a love for fashion. In 2019, Torres began to make her dreams a reality when she graduated from Phoenix College with two associate degrees in arts and fashion design.
Shortly after her graduation, Torres debuted her fashion line, hosting an event in downtown Phoenix. That was where she connected with ASU Gammage and then Jennings-Roggensack.
“Colleen had already been on my radar; I knew she used Arizona designers for her Tony dresses. I was beyond excited to get this opportunity and design something just for her,” Torres said.
The process for Jennings-Roggensack’s dress began in December 2019, with the intention for the garment to be worn at the 2020 Tony Awards.
“I originally wanted to connect the dress to Broadway shows set to open in 2020. I did my research and became inspired by the musical ‘Diana’,” Torres said.
Torres began working on a gown inspired by Catherine Walker’s white pearl-studded dress made for Princess Diana in 1989.
“As I started working, I realized the dress was too heavy and came off very bridal. Then the pandemic started, and I just knew that I wasn’t meant to work on this design,” Torres said. “COVID-19 was a blessing in disguise because it gave me two years to redesign something that’s comfortable and fits Colleen. I’m so happy I got a second chance.”
Keeping “Diana” as her inspiration, Torres went back to the drawing board, adding her own flare to the new design.
“I switched it to purple and made it my own by shortening the length to give it that Melissa Torres feel,” she said.
With the dress in the works for over two years, Torres and Jennings-Roggensack have built a strong relationship, working together throughout every step of the design process.
“My favorite part about working with Colleen is her enthusiasm,” Torres said. “This dress is different from what she’s worn before, and I love that she loves my ideas and is willing to try something new. It’s amazing to work with a client like that.”
Torres has made it her mission to “design statement pieces for the influential,” with this gown setting the precedent for her future designs and red-carpet looks.
“I am all about think it, believe it, receive it,” she said. “When I think about my future, I think about working with clients who are going to walk the red carpet at the Emmys, the Oscars, the Grammys. My goal is to be an EGOTEmmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. designer, and it all starts with opportunities like this. If I can give anyone advice it would be to never give up, believe in yourself totally and reach for every opportunity given.”
“I am all about think it, believe it, receive it,” she said. “When I think about my future, I think about working with clients who are going to walk the red carpet at the Emmys, the Oscars, the Grammys. My goal is to be an EGOTEmmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. designer, and it all starts with opportunities like this. If I can give anyone advice it would be to never give up, believe in yourself totally and reach for every opportunity given.”
A close-up look at Colleen Jennings-Roggensack’s custom Tony dress.
A close-up of the dress.
Melissa Torres’ design was originally inspired by the musical “Diana.” The dress was originally meant to be worn at the 2020 Tony Awards, and Torres wanted to connect it to Broadway shows set to open that year, which included “Diana.”
A sketch of the garment. Though the dress was originally inspired by Catherine Walker’s white pearl-studded dress made for Princess Diana in 1989, Torres realized her dress was too heavy and bridal. She shortened the dress and made it purple.
Torres works on the dress.
“This is my first official red-carpet debut,” Torres said. “A huge part of my goal as a designer is to create outfits for the red carpet. So it’s a dream come true.”
Jennings-Roggensack and Torres pose together at the dress reveal at ASU Gammage on May 31.
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