Vice President for Student Affairs Selected for National Leadership Program

Vice President for Student Affairs Selected for National Leadership Program 

Dannie Moore, vice president for Student Affairs at Sam Houston State University, was selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to join 30 fellow higher education leaders for the 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 Mickey Burnim, MLI’s president in residence who serves as a key adviser throughout the program. 

“It is an honor to join this prestigious program. I look forward to engaging with cohort members and learning from their experiences,” Moore said. “I’m especially excited for the opportunity to learn from seasoned university presidents and to gain new perspectives and strategies that can help drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for students.” 

Moore boasts an impressive background in higher education, holding a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a master’s in college student affairs from Eastern Illinois University (EIU) and an EdD in educational leadership from Northern Kentucky University (NKU).  

He began his career in higher education supporting his fellow students as an associate residence hall director while studying at EIU. Finding his passion for supporting student success, he went on to hold director roles at Marquette University and the University of Texas at Arlington before joining the Dean of Students’ office at NKU. There, he spent nine years bolstering belonging on campus in roles such as assistant vice president for student affairs and interim chief student affairs officer. At Eastern Kentucky University, Moore fostered student engagement in multiple roles, including vice president for student affairs. 

Since his arrival at Sam Houston, the university has seen the revival of the beloved concert event for students, Sammypalooza, and has fostered the growth of a new SHSU tradition, Bell Tower Bound. As the host of the university’s podcast, “Beyond the Measure,” Moore has found new ways to connect with students and help tell their stories.  

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 on 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.