President Susana Rivera-Mills
Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills serves as the 14th president of Aurora University and is the first Latina to hold this position since the institution’s founding in 1893. Since beginning her tenure in July 2023, she has prioritized fostering a collaborative culture. Working alongside faculty and staff, she has developed and implemented the university’s strategic plan, AUnity: Fulfilling Our Promise, emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.
As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Rivera-Mills embodies the transformative power of learning and believes in education for the public good. Her leadership style focuses on service, which motivates her to give back to the community by establishing mutually beneficial partnerships, mentoring leaders, and serving on numerous governing and advisory bodies, including the Rush Copley Board of Trustees, the City of Aurora Education Commission, the Council of Independent Colleges Board of Directors, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities Board of Directors, the Elevate Aurora Board of Trustees, and the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance Executive Committee.
Dr. Rivera-Mills brings over 25 years of higher education experience, having served in numerous leadership roles. Central to her presidency is a commitment to empowering others to lead from where they are. She is particularly passionate about developing future leaders who are innovative, courageous, and visionary. This approach frames a new model for higher education rooted in radical collaboration and partnership.
Her work has been recognized through numerous awards and honors, including the Women of Power Award from the Quad County Urban League, the Hispanic Pioneer Award from Ward 2 of Aurora, the Outstanding Commitment in Education Award from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, and the EAB Change Maker Award. She was also named to the Crain’s Chicago Business list of Notable Latino Leaders and the Latino Leaders Magazine list of Top Latinos in Higher Education, honored as “A Woman in Power” by the Illinois Minority Business Development Agency, and recognized as an “Indiana Woman of Influence” by the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Dr. Rivera-Mills earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Master of Arts in Spanish Linguistics from the University of Iowa. She holds a doctorate in Romance Languages from the University of New Mexico. She completed leadership development at the HERS Leadership Institute, Harvard University, and the Arizona State University and Georgetown University Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership.
Outside of work, Dr. Rivera-Mills enjoys being with family and friends, reading, walking, and exploring the outdoors with her Golden Retriever, Scout.