Thorne named to Millennium Leadership Initiative

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
June 12, 2008

Debbie M. Thorne, associate vice president for academic affairs at Texas State University-San Marcos, has been named to the 2008-2009 class of the Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), a program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Thorne is a graduate of San Marcos High School and earned her Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Memphis.

MLI is a unique professional development program for higher education senior administrators to determine if ascending to the university presidency is the course for them. The initiative was created to increase the number of senior level administrators in higher education from underrepresented groups so that universities enjoy the benefits of diversity. Since the first MLI Class of 1999, 278 individuals have graduated from MLI.  Over a third have advanced significantly in their careers and 38 graduates have become first-time presidents or chancellors.  Some individuals have entered their second presidencies, bringing MLI’s influence to 46 presidencies.

The program includes an intense four-day MLI Institute in Washington, D.C. The institute attracts a prestigious faculty of presidents and chancellors and experts in media relations, advancement and fundraising, executive contract negotiation, as well as search firm representatives. The program also includes a yearlong mentoring program, where Thorne will be mentored by a current university president.