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 the skill sets and mindsets needed to ascend and thrive in the presidency. The program welcomes participants into a network of professionals, primarily seasoned presidents/chancellors, with a deep understanding of how to navigate, and execute the presidency with vision and transformative success.
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AASCU mourns the passing of former MLI director Dr. Mary Evans Sias, a formidable higher education leader, administrator, and longtime champion of developing and empowering the next generation of college and university presidents.
Read tributes.America needs college and university presidents who can reimagine what’s possible and drive meaningful change across higher education.
The Millennium Leadership Initiative accelerates that progress.
Today’s presidents and chancellors must navigate disruption with agility and courage, commit to creating a campus culture where students, faculty, and staff feel connected and accepted, and recognize that their institutions are not only centers of learning but also engines of economic development and community transformation.
Established in 1999 under the leadership of AASCU’s African American presidents, MLI recruits and prepares leaders in senior-level positions who explore and aspire to be college and university presidents or chancellors. MLI connects senior leaders 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 exploring and/or preparing for a college presidency. MLI candidates are typically 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
- Gain clarity on your personal and professional goals to assess whether the presidency aligns with your values, strengths, and aspirations.
- Build a well-rounded leadership toolkit that blends real-world scenarios with academic insight to prepare you for the complexities of presidential leadership.
- Learn directly from experienced presidents through in-person and virtual sessions, gaining insider perspectives on leadership, decision-making, and institutional dynamics.
- Experience presidential leadership firsthand through our mentorship component, observing seasoned leaders navigate real-time challenges and envisioning your own approach.
- Complete a comprehensive leadership assessment and receive executive coaching to close development gaps and strengthen your impact.
- Access the guidance of our MLI President-in-Residence for real-time reflection, strategy, and decision-making support.
- Join a lifelong community of peers and mentors offering collaboration, guidance, and opportunity throughout your leadership journey.
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.
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What to Expect
- We explore the evolving presidential competencies required to lead with courage and clarity in today’s dynamic and uncertain higher education landscape.
- We facilitate dialogues about our collective commitment to advancing social and economic mobility for each student.
- We cultivate a learning environment that is personalized, inclusive, and rooted in trust, confidentiality, and psychological safety — where every voice is valued.
Clarifying Leadership Aspirations
Helping participants assess their readiness and desire for presidential leadership through deep self-reflection and exploration.
Building Executive Competencies
Offering practical training, case studies, and theoretical learning to develop the strategic, operational, and adaptive skills needed to lead complex institutions.
Learning from Presidential Leaders
Engaging with experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts who provide real-world insights and mentorship.
Gaining Immersive Experience
Shadowing a current president and apply learning in authentic contexts.
Receiving Personalized Development
Utilizing our leadership assessment and executive coaching to identify strengths, address growth areas, and craft a tailored development plan.
Accessing Ongoing Support
Connecting with a vibrant network of peers, mentors, and MLI alumni who offer continued guidance, encouragement, and opportunity.
Programming will be a blended format with 2 in-person and up to 6 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 6 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)
- Consutations with executive coach (July 2026- October 2026)
- Mentoring with current AASCU presidents and chancellors (September 2026–March 2027)
- Consultations with MLI President in Residence (September 2026-February 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
2026 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 10, 2026
Scholarships
- Please note that limited scholarships will be made available to accepted applicants
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations received before May 1 are eligible for a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.
- Cancellation requests received on or after May 1 are NOT eligible for a refund
- If you need to cancel after May 1, 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
174
leaders have become university presidents or chancellors
47
leaders have gone on to hold multiple presidencies or chancellorships
221
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 2026–27 Cohort
Bobbie
Anderson
Vice President for Student Success
Metro State University (MN)
Credence
Baker
VP of University Strategy and Chief of Staff
Tarleton State University (TX)
Jess Michael
Boersma
Vice Chancellor for Strategy, Analytics, and Institutional Performance and Chief of Staff
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Derrick
Brazill
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
CUNY York College
Bernardo Joaquin
Canteñs
Executive Vice President and Provost
Sul Ross State University (TX)
Hannah
Carter
Deputy Provost & Dean of Cooperative Extension
University of Maine
Bree Elizabeth
Cook
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
Southern University at New Orleans
Frank
Cuevas
Vice Chancellor for Student Life
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Marla
Dickerson
Vice Chancellor of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Southern University Law Center
Southern University and A & M College (LA)
Jill
Drake
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Clayton State University (GA)
Levon T.
Esters
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School
Pennsylvania State University
Terri
Gomez
Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Giovanna
Guidoboni
Interim Vice President for Research and Dean, Maine College of Engineering and Computing
University of Maine
David S.
Hood
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
Minnesota State University, Mankato
George F.
Kacenga
Vice President for Enrollment Management
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Jesse
Kane
Senior Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Management
CUNY Medgar Evers College
Dannie
Moore
Vice President for Student Affairs
Sam Houston State University (TX)
Robin
Parent
Vice Chancellor Strategic Initiatives & Operations
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Ralf Martin
Peetz
Shaw University
College of Staten Island CUNY
Clint-Michael
Reneau
Vice President for Student Affairs and Clinical Associate Professor
Northern Illinois University
Andre S.
Richardson
Vice President for Student Affairs
Allen University (SC)
Sharleen
Santos-Bamba
Senior Vice President and Provost
University of Guam
Thomas C.
Segar
Vice President for Student Affairs
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
F. Shadi
Shahedipour-Sandvik
Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Economic Development
SUNY-System Office
Tyvi T.
Small
Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Stacey D.
Sowell
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success
Shaw University (NC)
Pia A.
Stevens Haynes
Vice President of Student Development and Community Engagement
New Jersey City University
Eric A.
Weldy
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Indiana University Indianapolis
Philemon
Yebei
Associate Vice President for Finance and Strategy
Indiana University
MLI Executive Steering Committee
Loren J.
Blanchard
President
California State University-Long Beach
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
MLI News and resources
MLI Partners
2026-2027 MLI applications 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 2026 to March 2027.
- The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 9, 2026.
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 building the leaders of tomorrow to reflect and serve our students and communities. 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; and create opportunities for each student to succeed.
- Join our MLI community and gain preference and discounted registration fee for candidates you nominate for this high-demand program, and receive member only invitations for you and your team to participate in special MLI membership engagement opportunities.
Become an MLI Member.
Complete the form below to let us know if you are interested in learning more about MLI Membership.
Have questions about the Millennium Leadership Initiative? Let us know.
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