Mark Milliron to Join National U as President and CEO

Mark Milliron

Dr. Mark Milliron

National University, the San Diego-based nonprofit institution focused on working learners, has selected Dr. Mark David Milliron to serve as president and CEO. Milliron will begin in the new role on Oct. 1.

Milliron has a long history serving across the K-12, higher education, philanthropy, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, most recently as senior vice president at Western Governors University and executive dean of its School of Education. He also serves as board chair of the Trellis Foundation, an organization focused on improving postsecondary attainment for low-income students and students of color in Texas; vice chair of the Board of Trustees for Bennett College, a historically black liberal arts college for women in North Carolina; and as a professor of practice in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin.

His previous roles include co-founder of student success analytics platform Civitas Learning, deputy director for postsecondary success with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and president and CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College.

"Mark brings an exceptional breadth and depth of experience to the position, combined with a genuine passion for NU's mission and vision," commented Ruthann Heinrich, chair of the National University System Board of Trustees, in a statement. "We are confident he will extend NU's legacy of student-focused innovation into the future."

Listen

Dr. Mark Milliron spoke about reimagining higher education in season 3, episode 5 of the Campus Technology Insider podcast: "From Instructional Design to Learning Experience Design: Understanding the Whole Student."

Milliron will take the helm from Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, chancellor of the National University System, who is retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. "As I prepare to retire, I cannot think of a better person than Dr. Milliron to ensure that the university continues to positively impact the lives of our students, communities, and workforce," Cunningham said. "I look forward to working closely with him over the next year to support the transition of leadership and continued transformation of National University."

"With NU's rich history and deep commitment to innovating around striving student success, helping lead the way with this team into the next half century feels like meaningful work worth doing," said Milliron. "Like NU's students when they cross the graduation stage, I am excited about the possibilities on the road ahead!"

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Abstract neural network 3D illustration

    Intel® AI EmpowerED: The AI-Ready Campus, Delivered

    Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education, prompting institutions to rethink how they manage infrastructure, security, governance, and workforce readiness. Successful adoption requires a strategic, institution-wide approach that aligns AI initiatives with educational goals, faculty enablement, and scalable operational frameworks.

  • Minimalist binary data fragmentation

    Fragmented Data Is Quietly Undermining Student Success and Cybersecurity Hygiene

    Siloed tools, teams, budgets, and resources spread across departments and campuses generate massive amounts of data. However, fragmentation creates unnecessary exposure to security threats and inadvertently reduces student support because no one can see the whole picture.

  • broken digital lock and glowing chain

    Cybersecurity Researchers: AI Has Crossed into the Live Attack Chain

    AI is moving beyond assisting cybercriminals and beginning to operate within live attacks, according to a new report from Check Point Research. The technology is making sophisticated capabilities faster and more accessible while creating new security risks for businesses deploying their own AI systems.

  • Abstract background with digital shield made of data particles glowing blue blocking against cyber attacks

    Report: AI Attacks Push Organizations Toward Autonomous Cybersecurity Defense

    Artificial intelligence is raising the stakes of cyber conflict as attackers use the technology to accelerate reconnaissance, uncover vulnerabilities, and launch attacks faster than many security teams can respond.