Columbus State University’s Dr. Mariko Izumi is among 35 college and university professionals across the U.S. selected as emerging higher education leaders by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

The AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program began in 2015 to develop academic and administrative staff for roles with greater responsibility and oversight. The 2021 class will meet virtually throughout the year and develop an on-campus project or initiative to strengthen their leadership skills.

Izumi leads CSU’s Center for Experiential Learning and Career Design as its executive director. In that role, she and her team coach students regarding skills, resources and strategies to achieve their professional and post-graduate employment goals.

In addition to her administrative duties, she is a professor on the faculty of the Department of Communication and recently directed CSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan efforts.

AASCU is a national higher education association with nearly 400 public colleges, universities and systems. Columbus State University is one of 17 Georgia institutions in the association. For more information about the Emerging Leaders Program, visit www.aascu.org/LD/ELP.