Kerry L. Muehlenbeck (Maj Gen, USAF, Retired) is a residential faculty member in the Social Science and Justice Studies Department at Mesa Community College, a position she has held since 2005. Kerry was raised in Saginaw, Michigan. She received her BS from Northwestern University, her JD from Indiana University School of Law, her LLM. from the University of San Diego School of Law, and her PhD from Arizona State University. She began her career as an attorney at the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office, but soon joined the United States Air Force to serve as a Judge Advocate General (JAG).

A Division I athlete in college, Kerry continued in athletics as part of the Air Force Sports Program. Upon separation from active duty, she worked as a deputy county attorney at the Pima County Attorney’s Office in Tucson, Arizona. Kerry also joined the Arizona Air National Guard as a traditional drill status guardsman and continued her service as a JAG. She served as both a wing and headquarters level staff judge advocate. Kerry held several national level military billets, contributed articles for reference books, and lectured at various military courses. In 2013 she segued into a series of leadership roles in the Arizona National Guard, serving as the Arizona Joint Task Force Commander, the Director of Administrative Services, and the Deputy Adjutant General. In 2021 Governor Ducey appointed her in a full-time capacity as The Adjutant General (TAG) of Arizona and the Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency & Military Affairs. Kerry held that full time position until June of 2025, retiring after almost 30 years of total active/reserve service. She has since returned to the college where she continues to instruct our next generation of learners.