Millennium Leadership Initiative
The Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) is designed to enrich the American college presidency. MLI enhances the preparedness of leaders from all backgrounds 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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America needs college and university presidents and chancellors committed to making each student successful. The Millennium Leadership Initiative accelerates that progress.
Established in 1999 under the leadership of AASCU’s African American presidents, MLI recruits and prepares leaders in senior-level positions aspiring to be college and university presidents or chancellors. MLI connects aspiring presidents to the communities, expertise, experiences, and resources required to advance and thrive in the presidency.
Who Should Participate
Vice presidents and cabinet-level officers who are one to two career advancements away from becoming a college or university president.
MLI leaders:
- Understand how changing policies affect students, staff and faculty.
- Value having varied perspectives and experiences at the table
- Address challenging conditions head-on with integrity
- Support and pave the way for the next generation of leaders
- Create opportunities for each student to succeed
How You’ll Benefit
- MLI enhances the professional preparation of those who value distinctive leadership in public universities. We provide leaders with practical training, workshops, discussions, case study analysis, and theoretical learning to advance to the presidency
- Cohorts are led by a vibrant faculty of experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts ranging from advancement to strategic communications
- Participants receive mentoring from current presidents and shadow their presidential mentors as part of MLI’s immersive learning experience
- Participants partake in a robust leadership assessment and receive executive coaching
- Participants have access to MLI’s President-In-Residence as a thought partner and advisor as they fill the gaps in their professional development
- The rich MLI network of faculty, alumni, and other key campus leaders provides a constant community of support
Cultivate the 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
- Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times
- We facilitate dialogues about our collective commitment to advancing social and economic mobility for each student
- We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and customized learning environment built on cohort trust, confidentiality, and safety
- 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 people of all backgrounds play in the institutional mission
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 10-13, 2026 and March 10-12, 2027)
- Up to 7 interactive 60- to 120-minute virtual sessions–select Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET between August 2026 and March 2027 (exact dates TBA)
- Mentoring with current AASCU presidents and chancellors (September 2026–March 2027)
- Consultations with MLI President in Residence (November 2026-March 2027)
- 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 university 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 or APLU 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, to champion social and economic mobility for each student.
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
“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.”
“MLI has allowed me to tap into my authentic leadership style, knowing that my qualifications, skill set and experiences allow me to make an immediate impact within the workplace.”
“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.”
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 of Strategic Enrollment Management
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Michelle
DenBeste
Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Eastern Washington University
Amy
Diaz
Chief of Staff and Interim Vice Chancellor of External Affairs
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
Former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
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 Innovation, Technology, and Operations
Fayetteville State University (NC)
Clarenda
Phillips
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Missouri State University
James L.
Rodríguez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
California State University, Bakersfield
Bey-Ling
Sha
Dean, College of Media and Communication
Texas Tech University
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 President for Research and Economic Development and Director of Land-Grant Programs
Central State University
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
MLI Partners
Applications for our 2025-2026 MLI cohort are closed.
Application Requirements
- Leadership experience necessary to achieve a presidency or chancellorship in higher education
- A terminal degree, significant experience as a senior university executive, OR equivalent experience outside the academy in government or the private sector
- Endorsement from a president or chancellor
Important Dates
- The program takes place from June 2025 to March 2026.
- The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 10, 2025.
MLI Membership Details
Demonstrate your institution’s commitment to building the leaders of tomorrow to reflect and serve our students and communities.
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 equal opportunity and student success for each student.
- 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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