206SPRING LEADERSHIP A Real JIM Dr. Jim Miller receives new position as assistant dean of the Honors College. DR. JIM MILLER HAS BEEN SERVING the Honors College through Honors Symposium, by teaching honors courses in the communication department, and as a faculty fellow in the Honors College. He embodies multiple positions in the Honors College leading him to a new opportunity to serve as assistant dean. Dr. Kevin Kehl, the dean of the Honors College, appointed Miller and Dr. James Huff as faculty fellows for a twoyear term to bring more continuity and strength to the Honors College. Before Miller’s two-year term ended Kehl proposed the idea to promote Miller to assistant dean to lead development of curriculum, serve as sponsor for Honors Student Council, oversight of Honors College recruiting and alumni relations, develop and promote co-curricular and experiential learning, and assist in Honors Symposium. Kehl said Miller’s experience in administration duties and his familiarity with student life has well suited and well prepared him for this role. “Dr. Miller will give the kind of attention that is needed to help our students and the program excel even more to continue and grow in its commitment to excellence,” Kehl said. Junior and vice president of the Honors Student Association Emma Bartch has worked with Miller for two years and recognized Miller’s passion to listen and attend to students’ ideas. “He really does care about the voices of the students,” Bartch said. “He leans on and trusts us. Dr. Miller brings a lot of life to the room, and he encourages integrity and character. I think he’ll bring the perspectives of the faculty and students together to make the Honors College more life-giving and fruitful.” Miller said he was eager about this new position and helping lead students through a four-year journey, reaching success and growth. “It’s not about the medal you get, it’s about the experiences you had that enriched your academic journey, and no one can take that away from you,” Miller said. “That is the beauty of what Honors can provide.” As the assistant dean, Miller looks forward to meeting motivated students who will invest in Honors, not with an elitist mentality but with the honest desire for additional mentoring, taking advantage of the opportunities the Honors College offers. He compared his personal goal of his new position to the overall mission of the Honors College. Miller said he will “communicate the overall vision to students, faculty and administration as we make some philosophical shifts in the honors college.” According to Miller the Honors College’s mission is to help students grow academically, emotionally, spiritually, by providing experiences and opportunities, academically and socially that allow them to dig deeper, study their disciplines with a broader lens and by asking more complex questions. “When we do that, without question we enter into a journey that leads us to become the very best version of ourselves that we can be,” Miller said. “It is my privilege to help craft a vision for that and work with outstanding students every day.” WRITTEN BY EMILY STINNETT THE HONORS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE for leading the honors student body and representing honors students to the administration. They meet regularly to brainstorm ways to further the involvement of the Honors College on campus, plan events and service projects, and represent the Honors College. WRITTEN BY ELLIE SHELTON
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==