Dr. Albert S. Miles, Former UA Vice President for Student Affairs, Dies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Albert S. Miles, professor of higher education administration and former vice president for student affairs at The University of Alabama, died Nov. 6.

Miles joined UA as vice president for student affairs in 1976 and held that position until 1983. He was honored as the recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, one of UA’s premier awards, in 1980. The Sullivan Award recognizes excellence of character and service to humanity.

He also received the President’s Award from the UA Student Government Association in 1978 and 1983, and Special Recognition for Outstanding Leadership in supporting the planning and construction of the Student Recreation Center at UA in 1982.

After leaving the vice presidency, Miles served as a professor in the UA College of Education, including serving 10 years from 1984-94 as program chair for administration in higher education. In 1999, he was named program director for the higher education administration program.

In addition to teaching, Miles returned to the classroom as a student in mid-career. He earned his law degree from the UA School of Law in 1985 and served as a legal consultant on school and college law in such areas as personnel, student discipline, faculty evaluations, affirmative action and laws affecting people with disabilities. He also served as an assistant public defender in the Tuscaloosa County Public Defender’s Office from 1987-89 and as an attorney for the Alabama Counseling Association from 1989 until his death.

Miles was a member of the advisory board of Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Disabilities, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program; a member of the international committee of the Education Law Association, and a member of the Alabama Governor’s Committee for the Employment of the Disabled.

He received the President’s Award from the Alabama Association for Counseling and Development in 1990, 1993, 1995 and 1998.

Miles earned his bachelor’s degree at Duke University in 1962, his master’s at Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1966 and his doctorate in counseling and personnel administration at Cornell University in 1969.

Miles began his professional career as a high school teacher in Enugu, Nigeria, and later served as a lecturer at the University of Nigeria as a Peace Corps volunteer. In 1966, he joined Cornell University as assistant dean of students and later served as dean of students at Seton Hall University and as vice president for student affairs at Central Michigan University. He served as vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California-Riverside from 1973-76.

He was the author of a novel, “A Good Day in Africa,” based on his Peace Corps experience; legal publications including a book titled “College Law” and numerous articles in professional journals.

Miles is survived by two daughters and a son. He was 63.