Millennium Leadership Initiative
The 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.
Receive notifications.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.
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.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.
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.
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
The Stories
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 (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
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
Vice President for Student Affairs
Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
Sherril
Soman
Dean, College of Education and Community Innovation
Grand Valley State University (MI)
Becky
Spurlock
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Jose U.
Toledo
Vice Chancellor for Research
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Revathi R.
Vongsiprasom
Dean of Opportunity and Engagement
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Kevin J.
Wade
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and University Advancement & Executive Director, ECSU Foundation
Elizabeth City State University (NC)
Karen Abigail
Williams
Vice President Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
City University of New York, York College
Michaela
Willis
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
South Dakota State University
Freddie E.
Wills, Jr.
Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships
Harris-Stowe State University (MO)
MLI Executive Steering Committee
Loren J.
Blanchard
President
University of Houston-Downtown (TX)
Berenecea Johnson
Eanes
President
California State University, Los Angeles
Kenichi
Iwama
Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education
Indiana University
Saúl
Jiménez-Sandoval
President
California State University, Fresno
Shari G.
McMahan
President
Eastern Washington University
Ronald S.
Rochon
President
California State University Fullerton
Aswani
Volety
Chancellor
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Daniel A.
Wubah
President
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
MLI News and resources
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.
Sign up to receive notifications about participating in a future MLI cohort.
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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.
Let us know if you are interested in learning more about MLI Membership.
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