30 Higher Ed Leaders to Participate in 2026 Millennium Leadership Initiative Cohort

Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2026-The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) selected 30 accomplished higher education leaders for its 2026 Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) cohort, a premier professional development program for senior-level administrators.

Since 1999, MLI has prepared leaders for executive roles, including college and university presidents and chancellors, through a combination of interactive seminars, peer dialogue, mentorship and executive coaching. The program equips participants with the insight and practical skills necessary to lead effectively in today's evolving higher education environment.

As part of the yearlong experience, cohort members are paired with seasoned presidents who provide mentorship and opportunities for shadowing, offering firsthand exposure to executive leadership. Participants also benefit from guidance provided by MLI's President in Residence Mickey Burnim, who serves as a key adviser throughout the program.

MLI has supported the professional growth of 803 leaders since its founding, many of whom have advanced to top executive positions at colleges and universities across the nation. Among these alumni, 174 have gone onto to serve as presidents or chancellors, with several holding multiple appointments over the course of their careers.

"We are proud to welcome this exceptional group of leaders in the MLI network as they continue their progression toward the presidency and senior leadership roles," said Charles L. Welch, president and CEO of AASCU. "MLI has long played a vital role in cultivating a dynamic community of higher education leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges facing our institutions and students."

The 2026 cohort is convening this week in Washington, D.C., for program sessions taking place June 10-13. View this year's cohort.

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to serving today's students, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions' economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America's promise.