The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has a new superintendent.

Lt. Gen. John Rosa was sworn at 9 a.m. as the 16th superintendent in the academy's history. He takes over as part of the leadership shakeup that followed after 7NEWS brought to light a sexual assault scandal at the academy.

In two days, Rosa is expected to testify before a panel investigating the academy's sexual assault scandal, a panel headed by former Rep. Tillie Fowler.

"Our vision for the Air Force Academy is clear: to make it the best and most respected military training and educational institution in the world, one that produces America's finest military officers and a place where moms and dads are proud to send their children," Rosa said. "To achieve this vision, we must create and sustain an environment free of discrimination, free of harassment and assault of any kind."

Rosa takes over for Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Dallagher, who resigned after he and other top commanders received pressure from Congress after dozens of female cadets said they had been ostracized and drummed out of the academy for reporting sexual assaults.

Rosa was deputy director of current operations on the Joint Staff before being named superintendent. He is a 1973 graduate of the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and past commandant of the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida has been acting superintendent after being named to replace Brig. Gen. Taco Gilbert as commandant.

The first of three military investigations into the scandal found that commanders had not covered up the scandal and were not individually responsible. It said they were focusing on a 2001 drug scandal that implicated 38 cadets, and not on the assault allegations.

Critics, including some in Congress, have asked the independent panel to investigate whether any former commanders should be punished. Fowler has said her group, whose seven members include one victims' advocate, will look at all relevant issues.

Meanwhile, the Air Force has indicated it wants claims of sexual assault handled as openly as possible. Weida overturned the recommendation of a hearing officer and ordered a court martial for cadet Douglas Meester, 20, accused of raping a female cadet who was inebriated.