Melissa Miller of Canton has been named as the Dean of Career and Workforce Education at Spoon River College, a position previously held by Brad O’Brien, who has retired.
Miller began her career at SRC in January 2016 as an adjunct faculty member for the Allied Health program. She was then hired on full-time as the Coordinator of the Allied Health program in September of 2017, and became the director of the program in July of 2022.
Within her coordinator and director duties, Miller enhanced and updated the allied health courses, program offerings, internship opportunities with local healthcare facilities, and national certifications associated with the college’s healthcare career certificates and degrees. Her leadership was instrumental in creating, developing and launching a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate, and then a Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS Degree, which was rolled out in the fall of 2020.
During her time at SRC, Miller has gained valuable experience in teaching and working with students, and grant and budget management. She has fostered community relationships with local employer groups and curriculum and program development, while also actively promoting healthcare careers, career and workforce education, and the college as a whole. She continues to expand SRC’s outreach in local communities by attending student career fairs and events, and visiting with students in specific high school classes as a guest speaker. She holds a leading role in the planning and developing of the Canton Area Career Expo, which is held at Canton High School to expose students in grades 8, 10 and 11, to multiple different career paths. She serves on SRC’s Wellness Committee and has also participated in other college committees and sub-committees.
Miller spearheaded the Healthcare Enthusiasts and Leaders (HEAL) Student Association at the college, and Girls Unplugged, a community-led after school for 5th through 8th grade girls at Ingersoll Middle Schools. In 2022, she was the YWCA’s Salute to Women of Achievement honoree.
Miller resides in Canton with her husband Shaun. They are parents to Dalton (Cassidy) and Jocee, and grandparents to Waylon. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, baking, and watching movies.