After three years of uncertainty, everything changed in a single August afternoon. What previous boards found challenging, this leadership team accomplished unanimously: complete clarity on who we are and why we matter.

The breakthrough came after months of deep listening to more than 850 alumnae voices and strategic analysis that revealed what our community values most. In one decisive session, we didn't just adopt new language—we reclaimed our purpose. Our new mission explicitly centers Mills' 170-year legacy while charting a bold path forward through innovative programming, intergenerational connection, and the liberal arts approach that empowers diverse leaders to change the world.

Below, discover the exact mission and vision language that will guide every program, partnership, and initiative as we build the independent, impactful nonprofit that Mills alumnae deserve.

What happens when a place becomes more than an education—when it becomes a way of seeing the world? In "Cloister and Catalyst," AAMC President Kieran Turan '90 returns to the transformative moments that shaped not just his worldview, but his vision for carrying Mills' legacy forward.

From stepping onto campus as a first-generation college student to witnessing the galvanizing power of the 1990 Strike, Kieran explores how Mills created something rare: "a place of grace, creativity, and possibility" where students didn't just learn—they became catalysts for change. This deeply personal reflection reveals how Mills provided "a lens for living" that made room for complexity, contradiction, and the courage to act on conviction.

But this isn't just about the past. Even as Mills College may be gone, Kieran argues that "the world needs to be more like Mills"—and explains why the AAMC is committed to ensuring that transformative ideal never dies. Read his complete message below and discover how personal transformation becomes organizational mission.