Faculty and students will notice a new landmark when they return to campus later this month. A new sign marks Anderson Center鈥檚 east patio as Fayneese S. Miller Plaza in honor of our 20th president.
More than 100 guests gathered on Friday, June 13, to celebrate the plaza鈥檚 dedication and unveil its new sign. Speakers included Dr. Fayneese S. Miller, Acting/Interim President Kathy Murray, Vice President and General Counsel Cathy Wassberg, 麻豆视频APK Board of Trustees Chair Doron Clark 鈥00, and Mayor Melvin Carter, who shared his proclamation of the date as Fayneese S. Miller Day in the City of Saint Paul. Guests included 麻豆视频APK faculty members, staff, students, alumni, donors, trustees, and community partners, as well as personal friends of Dr. Miller.
During his introductory remarks, Clark noted the historic significance of Dr. Miller鈥檚 presidency. 鈥淒r. Miller was 麻豆视频APK鈥檚 first Black president and only the second woman to hold the office,鈥 he said. 鈥淪he knew how to stand up in the places where we needed her to lead.鈥
Dr. Miller said her parents, both of whom were civil rights activists during the 1960s, inspired her career in higher education and approach to leadership. 鈥淟ike them, I continue to stand tall in my commitment to inclusion and justice. Courage should be what leads you forward,鈥 she said.
During her years as president (2015-2023), Dr. Miller was an exceptional, dynamic, and inclusive leader with a strong commitment to academic program development, student success, diversity, and fundraising. Among Dr. Miller鈥檚 accomplishments were overseeing the Take the Lead comprehensive fundraising campaign, which ended on December 31, 2023, and exceeded its $110 million goal; securing $1 million in government funding for paid student internships; attaining a $2.17 million Strengthening Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which expands support for low-income students; and strengthening the honors program for first-year students.
Dr. Miller also served on the NCAA Board of Governors and on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; as the Chairman of the NCAA鈥檚 Division III President鈥檚 Council; and as a member of the NCAA Constitution Committee.
Prior to joining 麻豆视频APK, Dr. Miller was the first coordinator of education studies and founding chair of ethnic studies at Brown University鈥搘here she served on the faculty for 20 years鈥揳nd was dean of the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont for 10 years. She holds a PhD and an MS in experimental psychology from Texas Christian University, and a BA in psychology from Hampton University. She completed post-doctoral study in applied social psychology at Yale University.