Kelly M. Miller
Kelly Marie Miller is an American academic. Since August 2017, she has served as the 11th president of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMUCC).[1] She is the first female president of the university.[2]
Dr. Kelly M. Miller | |
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11th President of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi | |
Assumed office August 2017 | |
Preceded by | Flavius C. Killebrew |
Personal details | |
Citizenship | United States |
Children | 1 |
Education | University of Pittsburgh, 1989 M.S. 1992, Ph.D. in speech communication, 1994, Pennsylvania State University |
Early life and education
Kelly Marie Miller was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to a welder father and a stay-at-home mother who was formerly a preschool teacher.[2] In 1989, she became the first person in her family to attend a university, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh as a first-generation college student.[2] While at the University of Pittsburgh, she joined the university's chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta.[3] She earned her Ph.D. in speech communication from Pennsylvania State University in 1994, after earning a master's degree in 1992.[2][4]
Academic career
Miller joined the staff of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) after earning her doctorate. She taught classes in communication as the youngest full-time faculty member at age 26, teaching for 16 years.[2] Aside from communication, her courses covered business and leadership. During her time there, she has held the positions of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Director of the School of Arts, Media & Communication; and Chair for the Department of Communication and Theatre. She also served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.[4]
In January 2017, Miller became interim president of TAMUCC, being the sole finalist for president in June of that year.[5] The board of regents declared her president after a brief meeting on 19 June.[6] As president, Miller states two of her goals are to increase student retention and to grow the university academically and physically.[1] Shortly after her inauguration as president she was involved in a dispute with student activists who objected to the anonymous dissemination of white supremacist flyers on campus. The administration reported the case to the district attorney's office, and Miller said in a statement, "[This is the] price we pay for our precious right to freedom of speech" and, "Personally, I choose not to be drawn into this divisiveness".[7] In December 2019, she oversaw the university's purchase of a building in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas, noting needs for new campus space due to growth and for revitalization of the area.[8]
Other activities
Outside of TAMUCC, Miller has worked as a consultant and gives presentations on various subjects.[9] She has served on the board of the Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, and the Harbor Playhouse.[4]
Selected bibliography
Books
- Quintanilla, Kelly M.; Wahl, Shawn T. (2010). Business and Professional Communication: KEYS for Workplace Excellence. Sage Publications. ISBN 9781412964722.
Papers
- Hansen, Alan Dale; Quintanilla, Kelly Miller (November 2011). "It's like a Mexican Bingo". Journal of Intercultural Communication (27).
References
- "TAMUCC formally welcomes new president, Dr. Kelly Quintanilla". KrisTV. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Alvarado, Beatriz (9 September 2017). "New A&M-CC president Kelly Quintanilla breaks the norm". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Alpha Gamma Delta. "The Quarterly Fall 2017". Issuu. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Christi, Texas A&M University-Corpus. "Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi". Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- "Kelly M. Quintanilla, Ph.D.Interim President, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi". Visit Corpus Christi Tx. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- "TAMU-CC picks Quintanilla as new president". 101CorpusChristi.com. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Jacobs, Julia (28 June 2018). "White Supremacists' Use of Campus Propaganda Is Soaring, Report Finds". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- Botello, Tammy (13 December 2019). "Island University expands into Downtown Corpus Christi". KRIS. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- "Dr. Kelly Miller Quintanilla, Professor of Communication". cla.tamucc.edu. Retrieved 1 July 2018.