Miller Named Executive Director of UA Crimson Care

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Melanie Miller, a staff member and administrator with a background in counseling and social work, has been named executive director of Crimson Care in the Division of Student Affairs at The University of Alabama.

“Melanie brings to this office a wealth of knowledge and a proven record of leadership. Her years of experience in developing educational programs, assisting students and their families in times of crisis, and advocating for a safe environment will benefit the whole student population,” said Dr Mark Nelson, UA interim vice president for student affairs and assistant provost for academic affairs.

Miller will oversee Parent and Family Programs, the Women’s Resource Center and the On-Call Dean Program. She will also provide divisional leadership for the development of educational programs that focus on student well-being, provide administrative support and intervention for student crises, and oversee the division’s emergency planning and preparation.

“I look forward to my expanded role as executive director of Crimson Care. It is a great privilege to be able to provide support and assistance to students and their families during times of crisis, while at the same time working on initiatives to proactively address some of the issues facing our students,” Miller said.

Miller’s appointment became effective July 1.

Miller has served as director of the UA Women’s Resource Center since 1995 and she also served as associate director of Russell Student Health Center for two years during that time. Prior to coming to UA, she was executive director of Turning Point Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services in Tuscaloosa.

A UA graduate, Miller completed a master’s degree in community counseling and is a licensed social worker. She is enrolled in the first cohort of the executive Ed.D. program in Higher Education Administration and will complete her doctorate at UA in May 2008.

She serves as a consultant to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence and serves on the advisory board for the Alabama Coalition Against Rape. She has conducted numerous workshops at the state and national level on topics related to violence against women, especially as related to prevention and education regarding these issues on college campuses. She provides workshops and presentations on a variety of other women’s issues.

Additionally, Miller has written a book chapter on Domestic Violence in the book “Extraordinary Behavior” and recently published the article “Empowering Battered Women by Validating their Decision Making Skills: The Role of Moral Development.”