Congratulations to Dr. Craig Miller on being named the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development at the UK College of Dentistry (UKCD). Miller starts his role upon his return from sabbatical, during which time he participated in the Fulbright Specialist Program and traveled to Israel.  

Speaking on the role, UKCD Dean Dr. Jeff Okeson shared, “This position is new to our college and his role will be to assist the Chairs on important academic and faculty issues such as faculty development and advancement, recruitment and retention, as well as the appointment, promotion, and tenure process. I believe Dr. Miller’s long and successful career in our college, along with his great insights, will greatly benefit our college.” 

“I look forward to serving the faculty, the college and the university in this new role, and welcome the faculty and alumni to stop by my office or reach out to me via phone or Zoom where we can share a great conversation of the past and what to look forward to in the near future at UKCD,” shared Miller.  

Miller received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from UKCD in 1982. He also received his Master of Science & Certificate in Dental Diagnostic Science from the University of Texas. Before joining UKCD as a faculty member in 1989, Miller served in the United States Air Force Dental Corp, United States Air Force Reserves, and at the University of Texas.  

When speaking on what he hopes to accomplish and improve this next year, Miller mentioned helping support the health, wellness, learning, growth, improvement, judgment, and dignity of staff, faculty, students, and patients, helping leadership team improve efficiencies and help develop performance metrics that align with college, university and profession goals and standards, and helping others create and maintain an environment that leads to encouragement of learning, questioning, speaking the truth, striving for scholarship, and valuing the achievement of goals and the betterment of others.   

Since joining UKCD, Miller has held multiple academic and administrative appointments, such as Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University Research Professor, Alvin L. Morris Professor of Oral Health Research, Chief of the Division of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology, and Director of Clinical Externship in Oral Medicine. He shared, “I have worked at the College for 35 years and have held numerous roles including being an instructor, course director, clinician scientist, laboratory director, Director of Radiology, Director of the Nudge Unit, Division Chief, and Interim Chair of the Department of Oral Health Practice. I also have participated in many diverse activities that illustrate what an academician can do while at a major land-grant university including writing scientific publications, grant applications, textbooks, giving continuing education presentations across our nation and abroad. I also have received grant funding, been awarded patents, and started a technology start-up company. These diverse activities provide me with a wide perspective of opportunities that I can share with other academicians at the college.”