Gary Miller, University of Akron

Gary L. Miller was appointed by The University of Akron Board of Trustees on August 14, 2019 to serve as the 18th president of University. His tenure began October 1, 2019.

Miller has served as an institutional leader and consensus builder at public universities in several regions of the country. In addition to more than two decades of senior higher-education leadership, Miller also has first-hand experience as a researcher and teacher.

He most recently served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (2014-2019) where he led a campus-wide planning and visioning process called “Invent the Future of the University.” He also assembled a special planning and budget advisory group to help navigate during a time when the schools were facing significant reductions in state funding. Under his leadership the University established the Richard J. Resch School of Engineering; secured private funding and legislative approval for a STEM Innovation Center; partnered with a local technical college and public high schools to offer all Green Bay high school students access to 15 hours of college credit; reshaped its academic program and gained state approval for 22 new degree programs; and eliminated its structural deficit.

While chancellor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (2011-2014), he developed a Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; oversaw the university launch of an innovative online nursing program; and opened a $30-million marine biotechnology business development and research building. Miller was one of three chancellors to join the Board of Governors in writing a system-wide strategic plan.

His professional experience also includes service as provost and vice president for academic affairs and research at Wichita State University (2006-2011) and as dean of the College of the Pacific (arts and sciences) at the University of the Pacific (2002-2006). He was a faculty member at the University of Mississippi, Weber State University and Mississippi State University, where he co-authored a widely used textbook, Ecology. As a researcher Miller focused on arachnids and their environments. He received 25 grants and contracts, including awards from the National Science Foundation, the National Geographic Society and the USDA Forest Service. Miller has presented his work at dozens of national and international meetings on four continents.

Miller holds a doctorate in biological sciences from Mississippi State University. He earned both a master’s and a bachelor’s in biology from the College of William and Mary.

He and his wife, Georgia Nix Miller, have three adult children and five grandchildren.

President’s Page at UA