Dr. Travis Miller’s path to becoming Dean of the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences is a story of unexpected turns, trusted mentors, and a long connection to the University of Indianapolis. What began as a passion for mathematics led to experiences in tutoring, teaching, and leadership—each chapter building upon the last. Now, after more than a decade of service to his alma mater, Dr. Miller is leading the Shaheen College into its next chapter.
Dr. Miller came to UIndy as a first-generation college student with a passion for mathematics. He joined the math education program with the goal of one day teaching high school students. However, as he was placed in local high school classes, he quickly realized this career path was not the right fit for him. So he changed his major to mathematics, but he didn’t abandon his interest in teaching. He went on to serve as the student manager for the Math Lab.
“I really enjoyed tutoring and helping students realize that they could do things they came in with a lot of anxiety about and that they could get through their classes,” said Dr. Miller. “So I knew I still wanted to do that sort of work, but I wasn’t quite sure what direction to take.”
Dr. Miller turned to one of his faculty mentors, Dr. Nadjib Bouzar, Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Sciences, for guidance. Dr. Bouzar suggested that he pursue his graduate degree and even his doctorate so that he could teach at the college level. Being a first-generation college student, Dr. Miller wasn’t familiar with graduate school and was less sure about how he would afford it. Thankfully, Dr. Bouzar walked him through the process, and after graduating from UIndy with his bachelor’s, Dr. Miller went on to earn his master’s in applied mathematics from Purdue University. He then continued his work at Purdue, earning his doctorate in curriculum instruction with a specialization in math education.
Dr. Miller stepped into his first teaching position in the Department of Mathematics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. For four years, he taught math and math education students and enjoyed life in Pennsylvania with his wife, Emily, whom he had met when both were undergraduates at UIndy.
In the summer of 2010, Dr. Miller returned to Indianapolis and stopped by to visit faculty members from UIndy’s Department of Mathematics. To his surprise, they told him about an opening for a math education professor. As much as he wanted to apply, Dr. Miller felt torn; after all, he and his wife had just bought a house in Pennsylvania. But his wife pointed out, “You’ve always felt like you belong at UIndy, and if you don’t go now, you’re not going to have the opportunity to work with the people you love there.”
So he made his choice. He applied and accepted the role on Pi Day (March 14th) 2011.
Over the past 14 years, Dr. Miller has served in various roles within the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences – from Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science to Interim Dean to Senior Associate Dean. After serving as Interim Dean a second time since the summer of 2023, Dr. Miller officially accepted the role of Dean of the Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences in December 2024.
As Dean, Dr. Miller collaborates with department chairs from the College’s fourteen departments and the leadership of the R.B. Annis School of Engineering to celebrate successes, address challenges, and navigate concerns. He also oversees the College’s budget and provides leadership to help shape and achieve its vision for the future.
Dr. Miller is excited to use his new role to support his fellow faculty and empower his students through relationship-driven education.
“I’m looking forward to helping our faculty engage in some elements of the University’s new strategic plan and finding ways to better support our faculty’s work so that they can be best equipped to support our students,” said Dr. Miller. “One of the main things in the strategic plan is experiential learning, and there are a lot of new opportunities for us there. It’ll take some time to work towards those and get them in place, but I’m excited about that process.
“I also want to continue providing opportunities for our students to build meaningful relationships with folks across campus, whether they’re faculty or staff,” Dr. Miller continued, “because the students are going to find their interests, their motivation, and be able to be supported in the pursuits that they undertake through those strong relationships.”
The Shaheen College prepares its students for successful futures through nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate programs tailored to each student’s career goals. In addition to serving students within its own programs, the Shaheen College supports the University’s students as a whole by providing general education core classes. These classes equip students with essential skills to succeed not only in their intended careers but also in navigating everyday life.
“The reality is the world is changing so quickly,” said Dr. Miller. “There’s a reason that the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities continue to be taught. These disciplines provide the foundational skills that graduates turn to and rely upon as they pivot through life, through their career path, whatever it may be.”
Under Dr. Miller’s leadership, the Shaheen College plans to strengthen its graduate program offerings and expand experiential learning opportunities to ensure a smooth transition from college to career. Additionally, Dr. Miller is excited to collaborate with UIndy Online, a recent addition to the University’s academic offerings.
Through every step of his journey—from student to faculty member to dean—Dr. Miller has remained grounded in the values that first drew him to UIndy: a strong sense of community and a deep commitment to student success. As he looks ahead, Dr. Miller is eager to support the faculty and staff who share that same dedication, all while ensuring that students continue to receive the personalized, relationship-driven education that defines the Shaheen College experience.
“I am thankful for the faculty, the staff, and the administration that we have at UIndy who remain focused on the students,” Dr. Miller said. “You don’t find that everywhere.”