Camarillo, Calif., July 28, 2003 -- Wm. Gregory Sawyer, vice president for Student Affairs at California State University Channel Islands, was selected to attend the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI) in Washington D.C. During the four-day program, held June 13-16, the fifth class of MLI protégés studied a wide range of leadership topics, including working with governing boards, financial management, foundation of a presidency, communications, and personal leadership styles. Dr. Sawyer was one of twenty-four attendees chosen from public colleges, universities, and systems of higher education throughout the country.
The MLI program is designed to strengthen the preparation and eligibility of individuals who wish to become leaders in higher education and who are traditionally underrepresented in the role of university president or chancellor. After graduating from the institute, protégés participate in a yearlong mentoring relationship with an acting president or chancellor. Over the past four years, twelve protégés have gone on to become CEOs at higher education institutions.
"MLI was an intensive, self-assessed, and interactive guided learning program that allowed each student to critically evaluate him/herself and the role of the presidency to see if there was not only a match, but more importantly, the desire to lead a university," commented Sawyer on his experience. "MLI, simply put, answered questions that most of us had not even thought to ask."
AASCU member presidents and chancellors nominate promising senior administrators who then apply for acceptance into the program. "Greg Sawyer was a natural choice for this prestigious program," said Richard R. Rush, president of Cal State University Channel Islands and member of AASCU. "His leadership skills, intellect, and enthusiasm have been essential to getting our new University up and running and off to a successful start. I was happy to nominate him."
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.