Maj. Stephanie Walsh leaves a legacy of leadership at ROTC

With her dark hair slicked back into a tight bun, Maj. Stephanie Walsh sits in her office where she makes plans for her cadets. Hanging on the wall behind her is a large photograph of Old Main taken by her husband, Brian Walsh. Next to her desk, she keeps a list of leadership qualities.  

Walsh came to Utah State University two years ago, unfamiliar with the students and Cache Valley, which she now calls “a hidden gem.”  

At the Air Force ROTC, Walsh has been taken out of her career field. She’s used to working as a force support officer. 

“I did a lot of the morale support functions on base. Every base is kind of its own little community. We do all the lodging, food fitness, et cetera,” Walsh said. “This is definitely such a dream job because I’ve always wanted to teach in this capacity.” 

Working with students has been a rewarding experience for Walsh and her students, according to Maj. Andrew Spratt, an assistant professor of aerospace studies at USU. This semester, Spratt noticed one of his students go from being a shy cadet to being top of her class. When he asked her what changed, she credited Walsh.  

“I want them to make the hard decisions and also fail and learn from it in a safe environment. So, that’s been one of the most rewarding things just being here being involved in such superb students,” Walsh said. “They’re ready to learn and they’re ready to ask questions and they’re ready to get feedback.” 

Marion Lewis, a cadet at the ROTC said Walsh has given her excellent advice.  

“I’ve probably learned the most from her,” Lewis said. “She’s taken time to sit with me and discuss my strengths and weaknesses as a leader.” 

Walsh certainly provides students with feedback and is focused on molding students like Lewis, into leaders. 

“I wish there was a Maj. Walsh in every unit going forward,” Spratt said. “I can just tell that she cares so much about the cadets and the mission.” 

Walsh has been Spratt’s go-to in the ROTC. When he arrived a year ago, he took over her previous job and started working as a first-year student instructor and recruiting officer. Walsh’s continuity, organization, passion and positivity have helped Spratt succeed in those positions.  

“She is very good at encouraging our students to not just do things because that’s how they’ve always been done,” said Kim Garrity, a staff assistant and liaison for the Air Force ROTC.  

Garrity said Walsh is always cheerful and cares about her work at USU. She has consistently taught her peers they have flexibility in their missions — just because one person does something one way doesn’t mean you can’t add your own twist to it.  

“You can move things around to put your own voice in your curriculum and still have a great product,” Spratt said. “That’s what I learned from her.”

 Walsh didn’t feel like much of a leader, but after her time in the ROTC program in Los Angeles, she became a leader.

“I did the program and I know it gave me I’d a fantastic foundation,” Walsh said. “I know that God called me into it, even though it wasn’t my strength.”

According to Walsh, being at USU has been a full-circle moment. Walsh married her husband two months before leaving on her first assignment in Germany. When they met, Brian was a musician working on a full record with his band — but he was fully committed to Stephanie, so they moved to Germany together. 

“He’s been the most flexible. He has never complained,” Walsh said.  

Amanda Armsey

A photo submitted by Stephanie Walsh of her and her husband hugging after she returned from deployment.

Now, nine years later, they have a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. Brian works as a freelance photographer and homeschools their son.  

“I’m really thankful for my kids,” Walsh said. “It’s so special because I don’t know a lot of people who had their dad all day, every day as a child.”  

After spending three years working in the District of Columbia, Walsh and her family have enjoyed what they call “white space” in Logan. Walsh and her husband sit on their porch and watch their kids play outside.  

In the wintertime, they go skiing. 

“We have such fond memories at Beaver Mountain now,” Walsh said.  

Walsh beamed as she said how thankful she has been for her family, USU and her students. To her, the Air Force is one big family. 

But like every assignment she has had, her time at USU has come to an end. Walsh and her family are moving to Mountain Home, Idaho in the summer.  

“I’m going to miss USU. I tried so hard to extend my time here. I have grown and fallen in love with Utah,” Walsh said. “I’ve been able to give back to the program that made me.”  

According to Spratt, Walsh will leave a hole in the ROTC team. 

“What she brings to the team is something that I feel like the rest of us can’t cover. It’s hard to replace that,” Spratt said.  

Lewis said although she’s used to professors coming and going, she’s sad to see Walsh go.  

“She’s an inspirational leader and will continue to leave a legacy here,” Lewis said.