When Aiden Nyhus chose the bioengineering program at the University of Arkansas, he knew he wanted to do something “engineering focused.” Still, he had no idea he would end up testing new jets, weapons systems, and other technology for the U.S. Air Force. 

Originally from Lee's Summit, Missouri, Aiden says several factors led him to the U of A; the beauty of Northwest Arkansas was a big one. 

“I love the outdoors,” he says. “The flatlands of Missouri are not as gorgeous as the Ozarks. The Buffalo River and outdoorsy lifestyle that Fayetteville offers opened my eyes to the possibility of attending the U of A.” 

The location was also close enough that he could still see his parents on weekends, if needed. 

Second Lt. Aiden Nyhus

Being from Missouri, Aiden could take advantage of the U of A's New Arkansas Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, which covers the majority of the difference between out-of-state tuition and in-state tuition. Because of his high GPA, the scholarship covered 90% of in-state tuition costs. “That was a huge kicker,” he says.  

In his senior year of high school, the U.S. Air Force offered him  a full scholarship through the AFROTC High School Scholarship Program, which stacked with the Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship and included paid tuition and books, a stipend that increased each year, and, through his involvement in the U of A’s Air Force ROTC, housing. The scholarship came with the expectation of him commissioning into the Air Force as an officer after graduation. 

After taking a year to consider it, Aiden decided to accept the Air Force’s offer. “The opportunities when you’re here, plus the benefits once you’re in the military,” he says, were the deciding factors.  

“As I realized research as a profession wasn't my niche, I looked into engineering and found bioengineering at the U of A,” he said. “…which fit my vocational aspirations much better!” He credits the College of Engineering as having a “great faculty, great program. I loved everything about it.”  

Aiden graduated in May 2025 with a B.S.B.E. degree. Before Commencement, he was sworn in at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. 

“I knew I wanted to be in the test engineering field,” he says. “I thought the test enterprise was super cool, but I wasn’t sure I’d get it.” 

His talent and hard work paid off, and he was assigned as an operational test engineer at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, or AFO TEC, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

His role is to test any system the Air Force uses — such as weapons and aircraft — before it can be used by pilots or operators. “If we’re coming out with a new jet, we have to test it before the pilot flies it,” he explains.

But rather than flying or operating these systems himself, he says, "I can go to events where they are flying the aircraft and using the weapons systems to collect data, then use that to see if it’s working correctly.  

“It’s a unique niche – to get that as my first assignment was so great,” he says. “I’m really blessed.” 

As much as he enjoys his role with the Air Force, it’s not the final step on his path beyond Senior Walk. He says he is now looking at options to come back to the U of A to earn his master's degree, and eventually his Ph.D., in either biomedical engineering or biological engineering.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official guidance or position of the United States government, the Department of War, the United States Air Force, or the United States Space Force.