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
803
leaders have participated in MLI since 1999
170
leaders have become university presidents or chancellors
46
leaders have gone on to hold multiple presidencies or chancellorships
215
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 2025-2026 Cohort
Lorraine
Acker
Vice President for Student Affairs
State University of New York at Brockport
Tyson
Beale
Vice President for Student Affairs
Prince George’s Community College
Isaac
Brundage
Vice President of Student Affairs
California State University Chico
Jamarco R.
Clark
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
University of Illinois Springfield
Ashton
Cleveland
Chief Operating Officer
Lincoln University of Missouri
Angela A.
Coleman
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
North Carolina Central University
Stefanie
Coleman
Vice President of Student Affairs
Nevada State University
Jose
Coll
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Western Oregon University
Viridiana
Diaz
Vice President for Student Affairs
California State University San Marcos
Eboni
Ford Turnbow
Vice President for Student Affairs
California State University Channel Islands
John
Gipson
Chief of Staff to the Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Operations
Purdue University
Lewis
Graham
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Morris College
Josephine M.
Kershaw
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Innovation
Jefferson College
Faiza
Khoja
Dean, College of Business
Central Washington University
Daniel
Maxey
Chief of Staff
University of Colorado Denver
Jamillah
Moore
Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
San Francisco State University (CA)
Amber
Novotny
Vice Chancellor
University of South Carolina Palmetto College
Magesh
Rajan
Vice President
Prairie View A&M University (TX)
Pablo
Reguerin
Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
“University of California, Davis”
Mandara D.
Savage
Assistant Vice Chancellor Professional and Continuing Education
California State University
Ali S.
Shaqlaih
Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
University of North Texas at Dallas
Ashlee
Spearman
Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success
Clayton State University (GA)
Mary Beth
Williams
Vice President for Student Affairs
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Gillian
Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development
University of California Merced
La Toro
Yates
Vice President for Enrollment Services
Kean University (NJ)
Luria
Young
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Southern University and A&M College (LA)
MLI Executive Steering Committee
Loren J.
Blanchard
President
University of Houston-Downtown (TX)
Anita Borja
Enriquez
President
University of Guam
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
Patricia Pierce
Ramsey
President
City University of New York, Medgar Evers College
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.
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