Dr. Michael Miller

Michael T. Miller became the College of Education’s thirteenth dean on July 1, 2024 and also serves as Professor of Higher and Adult Education in the Department of Leadership. Dr. Miller arrived in Memphis after spending over 20 years at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. There, he previously served as the Dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, David and Jane Gearhart Endowed Faculty Fellow, Associate Dean, and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations all at the University of Arkansas.

In his 35 years of experience working in higher education, Dr. Miller has also served as Associate Dean of the College of Education at San Jose State University, Chair of Higher Education at the University of Alabama, Director of the Research and Development Unit at the University of Nebraska, and Director of Annual Giving at Southern Illinois University. Additionally, he has chaired the University of Alabama’s Faculty Senate Committee on Student Affairs, and the University of Arkansas' Task Force on Student Governance Reform. His international work includes participation in the World Bank funding of postsecondary reform in Hungary, vocational technical education assessment in Jamaica, serving as a Bi-National Fulbright Commission Scholar in Egypt, and most recently primary basic education teacher preparation with AID in the Republic of Georgia.

Dr. Miller has served as president of two professional associations and on the board of directors of five different national associations. He has served as the editor of three different academic journals and on the editorial board of five additional journals, not to mention having published nearly 300 articles and chapters, authored seven books, and edited nine books. His primary area of research has been aligned with participatory communities in higher education, related to both student and faculty involvement in institutional life. He has also chaired nearly 100 doctoral dissertations and has authored over $8 million in externally funded grants and contracts.

Dr. Miller is the recipient of the Syracuse University Charters Fellowship, the AIR Director’s Paper Award, the Council for the Study of Community Colleges Senior Scholar Award, and has twice received the University of Arkansas’ Student Government Outstanding Teaching Award.

He and wife Lara and have three children, Patrick, Peter, and Mary. In his free time he enjoys running and has completed four marathons and 5K races in 27 states. He also enjoys travel and reading.

Miller holds a bachelors degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University, a masters degree in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University, and a doctor of education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Teacher’s College.