Sharleen Santos-Bamba, senior vice president and provost of the University of Guam (UOG), is one of 29 senior higher education leaders selected nationwide to participate in the 2026 Millennium Leadership Initiative.
The cohort convened in Washington, D.C., from June 10-13 to begin the program, which brings together "accomplished" senior administrators from colleges and universities across the country to participate in the yearlong initiative.
"This opportunity allows me to learn alongside exceptional colleagues from across the country while gaining new perspectives that will help strengthen the work we do at the University of Guam," Santos-Bamba said in a release from UOG on June 29.
The university said the Millennium Leadership Initiative is a "premier" executive leadership development program that pairs participants with "experienced" university presidents.
"The program equips participants with the knowledge, perspective, and professional network needed to lead effectively in today's complex higher education environment," UOG officials said.
Over the course of the year, Santos-Bamba will receive executive mentoring, coaching and "immersive" leadership experiences.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as a higher education leader and look forward to bringing back ideas, relationships, and best practices that will benefit our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve," Santos-Bamba said.
UOG said her selection is a reflection of her leadership and the university's "commitment" to developing leaders who "advance higher education on Guam, Micronesia and beyond."
"Her selection speaks to the caliber of leadership we are cultivating at UOG and on Guam and reflects our ongoing commitment to institutional excellence, student success, and serving the communities of Guam and all of Micronesia," UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez said.
Santos-Bamba oversees UOG's academic enterprise, including its schools and colleges, research, student success initiatives and academic planning.
"Throughout her career, she has championed student achievement, faculty excellence, workforce development, and partnerships that expand educational opportunity throughout the region," UOG said.
The Millennium Leadership Initiative is offered by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). UOG said the initiative has supported the professional development of hundreds of senior higher education leaders since its establishment in 1999.