Northeast Metro Business VHEDC 2018 | Page 48

PRESIDENT

ANGELIA MILLENDER

TAKING CENTURY COLLEGE TO “ NEW HEIGHTS ”

When Angelia Millender first set foot on Century College ’ s campus , the message displayed at the front entrance resonated immediately . “ It said , ‘ Your Bridge to Success ,’ and that is exactly what I have spent my career doing – serving in and leading open-access institutions that further the vital goal of helping students bridge the equity and achievement gaps so that they can achieve at higher levels ,” says Millender .

Millender , who began her term July 2017 , says helping Century College ’ s students achieve success will be at the heart of all she does . “ I felt an immediate connection with the Century College students ,” says Millender . “ Through many conversations , I ’ ve seen that our students are outstanding and that they possess a true desire to be better than they are today , and I share that vision with them .”
TWO-YEAR NATIONWIDE SEARCH
The nationwide search for Century College ’ s new president that brought Millender to the campus for the first time lasted two years and included a wide range of stakeholders including students , faculty , staff and community leaders , along with leaders from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system . Together , the group set out to find a leader who could meet the College ’ s unique needs .
“ We wanted a leader who could work collaboratively with students , faculty , staff , and community members to deliver on the College ’ s strategic plan and its promise to eliminate the racial achievement gap ; create clear , supported pathways to transfer and employment ; provide integrated support ; and align and evaluate the College and its resources to meet these goals ,” says Steven Rosenstone , former Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System .
In Millender , the search committee saw an experienced executive leader known for her track record of championing diversity and cultural competence . Since 2014 , Millender had served as president of Olive-Harvey College in Chicago , Illinois . Under her leadership , the college implemented high-impact strategies that dramatically improved the graduation rate , the number of graduates earning credentials of value , and the number of students transitioning from remediation to college-ready . In addition , the college completed major improvements to student learning and student spaces , secured multi-million-dollar grants from the Department of Education to support STEM programming for underrepresented students , and acquired $ 3.5 million in equipment and scholarships by leveraging industry partnerships .
Previously , Millender served at Florida ’ s Broward College as district vice president for student affairs and enrollment management , Berkeley College in New York as campus operations officer / dean of student development and external affairs , and Robert Morris University as vice president of student services , dean of student services , director of career planning and placement , and as a member of the faculty . She holds a bachelor ’ s degree from Chicago State University and a master ’ s from National Louis University in Illinois .
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Just weeks into her term , Millender had already been busy building the community connections she greatly values – meeting with mayors , attending community gatherings , and reaching out to local leaders . “ We want Century
48 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile