FAMU appoints new VP of communications and external relations

Jimmy Miller has been named vice president of communications and external relations by FAMU President Elmira Mangum. He began his post June 16.

As a senior member of the President's Cabinet, he is responsible for the planning, strategic direction and administration for the units that oversee the promotion of FAMU, including media relations, publications, social media, marketing and special events. He represents the university at official functions on campus and in the community and serves as university spokesperson.

Additionally, Miller will manage the president's public communications, including special publications.

Miller brings to FAMU nearly 40 years of experience working in various levels of state and local government where he was responsible for developing effective communication strategies and strategic plans to achieve organizational goals and objectives. He has helped numerous organizations accomplish successful rebranding initiatives, including the New York City Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of the City of New Haven. During his career, Miller has served in an executive capacity with one governor and six mayors and successfully engaged legislative and governmental constituents and other community and global partners. 

Since 2005, Miller has served as president of the Glendower Group, Inc. and executive director of the Housing Authority of New Haven. His responsibilities included working with a diverse group of stakeholders to obtain funding and to ensure that the missions of the organizations were effectively promoted. He often collaborated with and testified before both houses of the Connecticut State Legislature, the City of New Haven Board of Aldermen (the City of New Haven legislative body) and federal, state and local funding and regulatory agencies.

Miller assisted with successfully rebranding these organizations to have a profile and web-based media presence. Through his successful outreach and engagement efforts in the areas of government, culture, and education, Miller obtained financing for community and economic development activities in excess of $1 billion.

During this period, Miller also served as an adjunct professor at Gateway Community College teaching western civilization.

In 2006, Miller collaborated with Yale University, the City of New Haven and the local construction trade organizations to form the Miller-Pearson Career Development School in New Haven, Conn. that bears his name. The school provides employment training for economically disadvantaged individuals. Since its establishment, hundreds of disadvantaged men and women have obtained gainful employment in the construction trade industry. The school has become a model for similar programs throughout nation. 

A native of Hobson City, Ala., Miller received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Berea College in Kentucky. He earned his master’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, with a concentration in public administration and public policy analysis.

Miller will replace Alonda Thomas, who served as interim executive assistant to the president for communications since October 2013. Thomas will return to her previous role as FAMU’s director of media relations.