Ummiya joined the USAF in 2019 through participation in the Premier College Intern Program (PCIP), where she worked in the Civil Engineering Group as part of the Requirements and Optimization team. She returned as part of the Palace Acquires (PAQ) Program, a 2-year career development program where she first started as the Sub-Activity Manager for Base Pavements. This required taking care of a large transportation asset (roads, parking lots, gates, bridges, etc.) by maintaining and allocating resources to ensure proper sustainment. Following in her mentor’s footsteps, she soon took on the duties of Sub-Activity management of the Airfield and associated assets (pavement, drainage, lighting, etc.). This plunged her into taking part in a key project, planning the repair of the Primary Runway at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, for which she received a Challenger Coin from the Under Secretary of the Air Force. Her work included effectively reviewing multiple courses of action and helping to select the most financially feasible engineering solution that eliminated the need for major repairs for the following 10-15 years once executed.

Ummiya has also been involved in SASE for 6 years now, starting as a general member of her University of Dayton Chapter and moving into the leading roles of Vice-President and President. After graduation, she applied to be part of the Midwest Regional Team as a Regional Coordinator. There she provided guidance and assistance to the University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, and University of Kansas chapter Presidents and Vice-Presidents based on her prior experiences. She then sat on the Board of Directors as the Collegiate Board Member Representative. Through her role, she established clear lines of communication that alleviated concerns about changes within the growing organization. She also took up the responsibility to host the 2023 Midwest Regional Conference at a time when the conference was facing potential cancellation. Due to her experience with her alma mater and support from the Midwest team members, the conference was held for the first time at the University of Dayton with over 130+ participants and $8,000+ raised for the chapter.

Ummiya continues to volunteer for SASE, with this being her second year as the National Convention (NC) Marketing Manager. Her work requires her to lead six marketing committee members to prepare NC branding and theme packages. These marketing efforts generate general body interest and drive registration numbers for both the Collegiate and Professional conference tracks.

Ummiya has also been involved with the USAF’s Pacific Islander and Asian American Community Team (DAFBAWG PACT) since its inception in 2021 as the SASE Liaison. She works closely with the SAF/DI office to bring Air Force representation to NC with multiple workshops and a recruitment booth at the subsequent STEM Career Fair. For the 2023 NC in Atlanta, Ummiya participated in a panel workshop discussing the multiple workforce tracks reflecting on her career progression and how others can benefit from similar experiences. She has also participated in setting up multiple lines of effort that make up the PACT and further the mission. Her involvement has helped develop LOE 2 to support partnering with key agencies to enhance civilian recruitment, LOE 4 to enhance engagement of Airmen with senior leaders across the DAF, and lastly, LOE 5 to integrate Language Enabled Airmen Program (LEAP) scholars into operations that best leverage their talents, align competencies, and minimize entry barriers for individuals who identify as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI).