Investments

Eleanor Miller, a nationally distinguished academic in the sociology and criminology fields at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, was appointed as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on June 21.

Miller, who developed her academic reputation in part for her research on the plight of female street hustlers and her study of the work of German philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel, is professor of sociology and associate dean for the social sciences in the College of Letters & Science at UWM.

I am delighted to have been selected to lead the College of Arts and Sciences and welcome the challenge of expanding the faculty, enriching the college research agenda, and broadening and deepening college programs, said Miller. I am most honored to become an integral part of such a distinguished and dedicated faculty. I look forward to teaching UVM students, exploring every nook and cranny of the physical plant and getting to know every member of the college faculty and academic and administrative staffs. Finally, I cannot express how happy I am to be returning to my New England roots.

President Daniel Mark Fogel, who made the appointment at the conclusion of a highly competitive national search, said the university can be thought of as a cluster of outstanding professional schools around a central College of Arts and Sciences. It is clear that our high aspiration of establishing UVM as the nations premier small public research university can only be realized with an extraordinary academic leader at the helm of Arts and Sciences. I believe we have found such a leader in Eleanor Miller.

Senior Vice President and Provost John Bramley, who as the institutions chief academic officer will work closely with Miller, said, Dr. Eleanor Miller combines an outstanding academic record with very substantial administrative experience. It became very clear that she is a very effective and respected administrator. She is a good listener but also a leader who can make, justify and implement difficult decisions.

In addition, Bramley said, Dr. Miller understands the mission of a College of Arts and Sciences in a research university, has an academic record that commands respect of her peers, and the experience and track record to facilitate the dialogue and teamwork necessary to take the college to an even higher level.

Millers scholarly interests include sociological theory, feminist social and political theory, criminology/deviant behavior and qualitative methods in sociology. She has authored numerous books, articles, reports and book reviews and has been prominent in professional societies including the American Sociological Association and the American Society for Criminology.

In addition to her scholarly record, Miller is an award-winning teacher, has served on numerous university and faculty committees, and been a valued contributor to community activities and task forces. She is widely recognized on her campus as instrumental in improving the climate for women and families, such that Milwaukee Magazine chose it a year ago as one of the best places in the metropolitan area for women to work and, in 1993, Miller was chosen by the Milwaukee Womens Fund as Woman of the Year.

She has served in various administrative leadership roles at UWM, including as chair of the Department of Sociology, director of the Center for Womens Studies, director of Urban Studies Programs, and associate chancellor for affirmative action. She assumed her current position as associate dean in 2001.

In addition to her long career at the University of Wisconsin, Miller spent two years as a faculty member of City University of New York, Queens College. She earned a bachelors degree in English from Emmanuel College, and masters and doctorate degrees in sociology from the University of Chicago.

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