Millennium Leadership Initiative

MLI 25th AnniversaryThe Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) is designed to diversify and enrich the American college presidency. MLI enhances the preparedness of traditionally underrepresented leaders in the highest ranks of higher education by developing their skill sets and mindsets. The program welcomes participants into a network of professionals with a deep understanding of how to advance to the presidency.

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Dana Thompson poses a question to the 2023 MLI cohort.
Dana Thompson poses a question to the 2023 MLI cohort.

America needs college and university presidents and chancellors to reflect our nation’s diversity.  

The Millennium Leadership Initiative accelerates that progress.

Established in 1999 under the advisement of AASCU’s African American presidents, MLI recruits and prepares Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQ, and women leaders in senior-level positions aspiring to be campus presidents or chancellors. MLI connects aspiring presidents to the communities, expertise, experiences, and resources required to thrive in the highest ranks of higher education. We also support diverse leadership pipelines, and promote equitable student success.

F.C. Richardson, one of MLI’s founders, reflects on the last 25 years.

Who Should Participate

  • Vice presidents and cabinet-level officers, traditionally underrepresented (women, people of color, LGBTQIA, etc.), who are one to two career advancements away from becoming a university president

How You’ll Benefit

  • MLI enhances the professional fitness of those who value distinctive leadership in public universities. We provide practical training, workshops, discussions, case study analysis and theoretical learning
  • Cohorts are led by a diverse faculty of experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts in advancement, communications, governance, and financial management, each of whom emphasizes such themes as democracy, social justice, belonging, and equity-minded leadership
  • Participants receive mentoring from current and former presidents
  • The rich MLI network of faculty, alumni, and other key campus leaders provides a constant community of support

Encourage a diverse leadership pipeline at your institution with an MLI membership.

Become an MLI member institution.

Apply to the join the next Millennium Leadership Initiative cohort.

Learn more.
2023 MLI cohort members working in breakout groups.
2023 MLI cohort members working in breakout groups.
What to Expect
  • We emphasize and infuse themes of democracy, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice throughout the program offerings.
  • We facilitate dialogues about our collective commitment to advancing social and economic mobility for students of all backgrounds.
  • We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and customized learning environment built on cohort trust, confidentiality, and safety.
  • MLI graduates are poised to offer distinctive leadership to a higher education industry wherein it is all too rare.
  • The MLI experience allows participants to determine if the presidency is a realistic goal and affords them the opportunity to deeply probe their true leadership desire and fitness.
  • The MLI emphasis on developing skill sets, mindsets, and networks is valuable even for those who decide not to pursue the position of college or university president or chancellor. 
  • MLI reinforces the vital role that diversity plays in the institutional mission and helps diversify the executive team on campuses.

Programming will be a blended format with 2 in-person and up to 7 virtual engagements. In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. 100% attendance and participation is expected. Virtual programming will take place on select Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET (exact dates TBD).

  • Two in-person seminars in Washington, DC (June 11-14, 2025 and March 11-13, 2026)
  • Up to 7 interactive 60- to 120-minute virtual sessions – select Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET between August 2025 and March 2026 (exact dates TBA)
  • Mentoring with current AASCU presidents and chancellors (September 2025 – March 2026)
  • Coaching with MLI President in Residence (November 2025-March 2026)
  • Participants apply to the MLI program and are admitted through a rigorous selection process administered by a selection committee composed of presidents and chancellors. Successful applicants will demonstrate the following: 
    • Leadership experience necessary to achieve a presidency or chancellorship in higher education
    • A terminal degree, significant experience as a senior academic executive, OR equivalent experience outside the academy in government or the private sector 
    • Endorsement by their president or chancellor
    • The cohort size ranges from 25 to 30 participants.
  • A complete application for MLI includes the following:
    • Endorsement from the president/chancellor from your home institution
    • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals
    • Commitment to 100% participation at in- person and virtual programming
2025 Registration Fees
  • For applicants from AASCU plus MLI member institutions: $5,500
  • For applicants from AASCU member institutions: $6,500
  • For applicants from non-member institutions: $7,500
  • The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, and all materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Washington, D.C.
  • Upon acceptance to MLI, participants must register no later than April 14, 2025.
Scholarships
  • Please note that limited scholarships will be made available to accepted applicants.
Cancellation Policy
  • Cancellation requests received on or after May 2, 2025 are NOT eligible for a refund.
  • If you need to cancel after May 2, please email leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org to explore if you are eligible for a deferral to next year’s cohort.
Is my institution an AASCU member?

MLI participants build transformative relationships with mentors who support and inspire their highest career aspirations. 

The MLI experience equips participants to compete for, and attain, the position of college or university president or chancellor, reinforcing inclusivity’s vital role in educating the uniquely diverse populations state colleges and universities support.

Daniel Wubah, President, Millersville University and Jeffery Coleman, Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, Framingham State University.
Daniel Wubah, President, Millersville University and Jeffery Coleman, Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, Framingham State University.
Cherisse Jones-Branch of Arkansas State University with mentor president Jann Joseph and provost George Low of Georgia Gwinnett College.
Cherisse Jones-Branch of Arkansas State University with mentor president Jann Joseph and provost George Low of Georgia Gwinnett College.
Jade Herman, Chief of Staff, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and MLI mentor Ken Iwama, Chancellor, IU-Northwest.
Jade Herman, Chief of Staff, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and MLI mentor Ken Iwama, Chancellor, IU-Northwest.
Eric Skipper, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of South Carolina Beaufort; MLI participant William Terry Brown, Associate Vice President for Strategic Economic & Partnership Development, Connecticut State Community College; MLI mentor Al Panu, Chancellor, University of South Carolina Beaufort; and Mack Palmour, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, University of South Carolina Beaufort
Jermaine Wright, Vice President for Student Affairs, The City University of New York Lehman College and MLI mentor Tomas Morales, President, California State University, San Bernadino.
Jermaine Wright, Vice President for Student Affairs, The City University of New York Lehman College and MLI mentor Tomas Morales, President, California State University, San Bernadino.

 

2023-2024 MLI participant Robert Williams of California State University, East Bay with mentor Paul Pitre, chancellor of Washington State University Everett.
2023-2024 MLI participant Robert Williams of California State University, East Bay with mentor Paul Pitre, chancellor of Washington State University Everett.
President Cathy Sandeen of California State University, East Bay with mentee Britt Rios-Ellis, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, Oakland University.
President Cathy Sandeen of California State University, East Bay with mentee Britt Rios-Ellis, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, Oakland University.
Camille Davidson, president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law with mentor president Patricia Ramsey of City University of New York, Medgar Evers College.
Camille Davidson, president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law with mentor president Patricia Ramsey of City University of New York, Medgar Evers College.

 

The Numbers

 

777

leaders have participated in MLI since 1999

166

leaders have become university presidents or chancellors

46

leaders have gone on to hold multiple presidencies or chancellorships

211

presidencies or chancellorships are or have been held by MLI leaders

One in five

participants have achieved a presidency or chancellorship

2023 cohort participants chat during a break.
2023 cohort participants chat during a break.
2023 cohort participants work on a breakout excercise.
2023 cohort participants work on a breakout excercise.
The Stories

“The MLI experience has truly been transformational, particularly because of the breadth and depth of what is covered throughout the program. I learned a great deal and despite the rapidly changing higher education environment, the MLI addressed every major issue facing executive leadership today. Furthermore, the great friends and colleagues I met in the MLI have helped me expand the network I rely on to tackle serious problems.”

Britt Rios-Ellis

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Oakland University (MI)
MLI class 2023-2024

“MLI has allowed me to tap into my authentic leadership style, knowing that my qualifications, skill set and diverse experiences allow me to make an immediate impact within the workplace.”

Latoya Jenkins

Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Experience, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
MLI Class of 2023

“So many key gems of wisdom illustrated so well with real life examples. This felt like a master class in the college presidency, and it was just the beginning. I was engaged the entire time and didn’t want to miss a word.”

Diane Gu

Chief Philanthropy Officer, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington
MLI Class of 2022

“I felt like I had the privilege of sitting at the various presidents’ kitchen tables and hearing the real and authentic conversations.”

MLI participant, 2022 cohort

What’s your biggest takeaway as an MLI grad?

 

How has MLI shaped your
career?

Meet the 2024-2025 Cohort

Tierney J.

Bates

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

University of South Carolina Upstate

James S.

Bridgeforth

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & ExperienceVT

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tamara

Brown

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

The University of Texas at Arlington

Laurie

Carter

Dean of the School of the Arts and the School of Humanities

Susquehanna University

Jose E.

da Silva

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

University of North Texas at Dallas

Michelle

DenBeste

Special Assistant to Vice President for Advancement

Central Washington University

Amy

Diaz

Chief of Staff

Indiana University Northwest

Andre L.

Fortune

Vice President for Student Affairs

University of West Georgia

Barbara

Harmon-Francis

Vice President for Student Success and Retention

Kean University (NJ)

Demetria

Johnson-Weeks

Executive Director, Title III and Sponsored Programs. Coordinator, Summer of Success. Adjunct Faculty, JHJ School of Business.

Texas Southern University

Sharon Andrea

Jones

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

University of Washington Bothell

Sharareh Kermanshachi

Sharareh (Sherri)

Kermanshachi

Vice Chancellor for Research and Outreach

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Samaad Wes

Keys

Senior Program Officer

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Beth

Lesen

Vice President for Student Affairs

California State University, Long Beach

Kapil

Longani

Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel

SUNY System Administration

Amber

Lopez Lasater

Chief of Staff and Strategy

Nevada State University

Robyn

Merrick

Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations

Southern University System (LA)

Hector M.

Molina

Vice Chancellor for Information Technology

Fayetteville State University (NC)

Clarenda

Phillips

Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

James L. Rodríguez

James L.

Rodríguez

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

California State University, Bakersfield

Bey-Ling

Sha

Immediate Past Dean, College of Communications

California State University Fullerton

Will Simpkins

Will

Simpkins

Vice President for Student Affairs

Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)

Sherril Soman

Sherril

Soman

Dean, College of Education and Community Innovation

Grand Valley State University (MI)

Becky Spurlock

Becky

Spurlock

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Jose U. Toledo

Jose U.

Toledo

Vice Chancellor for Research

Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Revathi R. Vongsiprasom

Revathi R.

Vongsiprasom

Dean of Opportunity and Engagement

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Kevin J. Wade

Kevin J.

Wade

Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and University Advancement & Executive Director, ECSU Foundation

Elizabeth City State University (NC)

Karen Abigail Williams

Karen Abigail

Williams

Vice President Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

City University of New York, York College

Michaela Willis

Michaela

Willis

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

South Dakota State University

Freddie E. Wills, Jr.

Freddie E.

Wills, Jr.

Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships

Harris-Stowe State University (MO)

Our Partners

Thought Partners

Applications for our 2025 MLI cohort will open in November.

Sign up to receive notifications about participating in a future cohort.

Application Details

Apply to the Millennium Leadership Initiative for an unparalleled experience supporting traditionally underrepresented leaders to successfully pursue the college presidency or chancellorship. 

Application Requirements

  • Leadership experience necessary to achieve a presidency or chancellorship in higher education
  • A terminal degree, significant experience as a senior academic executive, OR equivalent experience outside the academy in government or the private sector
  • Endorsement from a president or chancellor

Important Dates

  • The 2024 program will take place from June 2025 to March 2026.
  • The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 9, 2025.

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MLI Membership Details

Demonstrate your institution’s commitment to diversifying the presidency to reflect our nation with an MLI membership.

How It Works

  • MLI membership has a flat fee of $3,000 annually.
  • MLI membership is billed with your AASCU membership; presidents receive two invoices.

How You’ll Benefit

  • Make a clear statement of your commitment to reflecting our nation’s diversity in leadership.
  • Gain preference and discounted registration fee for candidates you nominate for this high-demand program.
  • Receive member only invitations for you and your team to participate in special MLI membership engagement opportunities.

Become an MLI Member.

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