Alison Sturgeon

Alison Sturgeon earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah while working as an engineering intern for the Air Force. After graduation, she worked in industry, designing and installing automated material handling systems. She later returned to the Air Force, working with F-16 automated test equipment and early AI programming.

After the birth of her first child, she chose to stay home until her youngest of three turned nine. Upon returning to the workforce, she created and taught a pre-engineering course as well as algebra. She was then chosen to stand up and teach for Utah’s first STARBASE program which provides 25 hours of hands-on STEM activities to 1,500 low-income 5th grade students yearly at Hill Air Force Base (HAFB.)

Alison was then asked to lead the HAFB K-12 STEM Program, where she dramatically increased the size, scope and influence of HAFB STEM outreach. During her time as the STEM Program Manager, she brought in nearly 6 million dollars to the Utah STEM community, benefitting hundreds of STEM programs, thousands of teachers, and over 420,000 K-12 students. She coordinated scientists and engineers to provide 25,000 volunteer hours to various STEM programs. She was instrumental in bringing the prestigious Air Force LEGACY STEM Program to HAFB which mentors students from age 11 through college graduation.

She started HAFB WiSE (Women in Science & Engineering) to mentor and retain women, and provide K-16 outreach. She recently co-founded the first annual Women4STEM Conference to highlight outstanding women in STEM with the mission to inspire and educate girls, young women, and women interested in STEM.

Awards include Air Force STEM Champion of the Year and Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award.

Outside of work she enjoys traveling, skiing, boating, and being grandma.