Amy Diaz, IU Northwest chief of staff, was chosen to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities 2024 Millennium Leadership Initiative.
Diaz will join 29 other senior-level higher education professionals from around the country for a yearlong program. The program helps prepare higher education leaders from traditionally underserved communities with the skills to advance to the highest ranks of postsecondary education. It connects aspiring presidents and chancellors to expertise, experiences and resources.
“Through AASCU’s rich network of higher ed professionals, I will have a tremendous professional opportunity to enhance my leadership expertise in a way that will provide meaningful and impactful ways for our entire campus to collaboratively serve the students and community of this Region,” Diaz said in a press release.
Diaz joined IU Northwest in 2020 as a member of the chancellor’s cabinet and executive leadership team. She has also served as co-chair on the campus’s Hispanic-Serving Institute Committee, the IU Northwest Strategic Planning Committee and Indiana University’s Regional Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Staff Task Force.
Since 1999, nearly 750 individuals have completed the program, with 163 going on to become university presidents or chancellors and 43 serving multiple presidencies or chancellorships.
IU Northwest Chancellor Ken Iwama and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Vicki Román-Lagunas are both graduates of the initiative.
“This program offers an invaluable opportunity for individuals, including myself, who have historically not advanced to the role of president or chancellor,” Iwama said. “The impact of this program is significant as it builds a strong pipeline of academic leadership that reflects the increased diversity of students enrolled in higher education institutions — first generation, low-income and students from historically under-represented backgrounds.”
Programming for the 2024 cohort begins this month in Washington, D.C.
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities is based in Washington, D.C. A higher education association, its membership is comprised of 350 colleges and universities. The members share a commitment to expand student access, success and opportunity.
IU Northwest is one of seven campuses of Indiana University. The campus has about 3,500 degree-seeking students and 1,800 dual-credit students. IU Northwest has been recognized by the Department of Education as a minority and Hispanic-Serving Institution.
