Dr. Dhanfu E. Elston, CCA’s Vice President for Strategy, will be among this year’s Class of 2018 protégés for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) Institute. The Institute is co-sponsored by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, Academic Search, Strada Education Network and TIAA.
MLI protégés are chosen through a highly competitive selection process that evaluates their demonstrated leadership experience relevant to their potential to advance to the post of president or chancellor in a higher education setting. Elston was nominated by Jackson State University President Dr. William Bynum, Jr. Bynum shared, “Elston is a ‘rising star’ in higher education and the CCA platform has given him national exposure, experience and networks that he will be able to share with the 2018 cohort.”
The MLI was established to assist individuals who have been historically underrepresented in attaining executive leadership level positions at public or private colleges and universities. It also helps train prospective higher education leaders to be competitive in their future pursuits through the evaluation of higher education trends, training, and executive coaching from a network of mentors and colleagues.
Upon completion of the MLI’s on-site program in Washington, D.C., Elston and his fellow MLI protégés will participate in a year-long fellowship, which will focus on mentorship between the protégés and a currently sitting university president or chancellor. Protégés will also complete a collaborative “College Value” project that helps address the reputational issues regarding the value of higher education.
“I am extremely humbled to have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most accomplished leaders in higher education,” Elston said. “CCA has long recognized the important balance of campus leadership, state policy, and advocacy as key components to creating an educated citizenry and stronger nation. Through the MLI experience, newly formed relationships will advance my professional growth and strengthen organizational partnerships that will be critical in addressing the challenges facing higher education leaders in the 21st century.
MLI was established in 1998 to ensure that the next generation of leaders in higher education reflects the diversity of our nation. Due to rapidly shifting demographics in higher education, there was a clear need for diversity within these critical leadership roles to match the changing diversity of the student population. MLI celebrates its 20th anniversary in July 2018.
For more information, visit www.aascu.org/MLI.
