Meet Mackenzie Robertson, UW-Whitewater’s first Space Force student

Story by Chris Lindeke | Photos submitted,

Coming from a military family, Mackenzie Robertson has always focused on service.

Robertson, who attended the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and is currently on active duty, continues her service while building on her education and personal development as a student in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

“UW-Whitewater stood out to me because of its flexibility,” said Robertson, a graduate of Menomonee Falls High School whose family still lives in Menomonee Falls. “The fully online and asynchronous format allows me to manage my coursework alongside my job. Plus, I was confident the diversity of professional backgrounds among my classmates would bring a lot of valuable perspectives to the table.”

Robertson worked with UW-Whitewater’s veteran services team to ensure her online course enrollment is properly certified with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs so she was able to be financially supported.

After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Robertson, whose parents and sister also served in the Air Force, was commissioned directly into the U.S. Space Force, which is responsible for the country’s military operations in space. The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips personnel to protect U.S. and allied interest in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint forces.

“Being a part of the Space Force is a true honor — it reflects the values that were instilled in me from a young age,” she said.

She is UW-Whitewater’s first Space Force student.

“This is an incredible milestone for our department and our campus community,” said Amy Moore, UW-Whitewater veterans service coordinator. “Mackenzie’s commissioning into the Space Force is a powerful example of representation and progress. We are so proud of Mackenzie as a UW-Whitewater student and for being recognized with this honor as a female service member.”

The Space Force was Robertson’s top job preference upon graduation, and she was notified of her selection during her senior year at the Academy. Since joining, she engaged in a month-long training that has since evolved into a 12-month training program.

Robertson, who is the first-ever Warhawk to be in the Space Force, is based in Los Angeles and is working on a new program in the Military Communications and Position, Navigation, and Timing Directorate at the Space Systems Command. In her role, she collaborates with government contractors to acquire and develop space capabilities that directly supports all branches of the military.

Mackenzie Robertson, a master’s student at UW-Whitewater, competed for four years on the volleyball team during her time as a student in the U.S. Air Force Academy. (Photo courtesy of Air Force Athletics)

Robertson, who earned a B.S. in management and was a student-athlete on the volleyball team at Air Force, had been thinking about starting a graduate program for “a while” prior to enrolling at UW-Whitewater this past spring.

“As I was researching programs, I saw that UW-Whitewater’s MBA consistently ranks highly both nationally and in Wisconsin,” she said. “That — along with the flexibility — made it the right choice for me.”

Robertson sees numerous opportunities within the military for personal and professional growth and has been taking each assignment one by one as part of the Space Force, so there is no definitive end date. She plans to start a new assignment in August within the Assured Access to Space Directorate.

Robertson’s path to earning an MBA at UW-Whitewater is malleable, but her drive to continue her education is resolute.

“My family has always placed a strong emphasis on education and have encouraged me to pursue it fully,” she said.

UW-Whitewater’s veteran services team works with current and former military members to navigate eligibility, housing stipends, and tuition coverage. The team collaborates with graduate departments to accommodate flexible scheduling or extended timelines due to deployments or training and advocates for students facing barriers due to military service and connect them to support organizations, financial aid, and more.

Online students like Robertson are included in virtual events and recognition programs, including Military Stole Ceremonies or challenge coin presentations.