Tim Miller

At James Madison University (JMU), transformative change is happening on and off the field. As Vice President for Student Affairs, Tim Miller is at the heart of it all – championing student wellbeing, fostering a sense of belonging, and navigating the challenges of modern campus life. From the rise of JMU’s football program to addressing generational shifts in how students connect and engage, Tim brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table.

For the second time, Tim sat down with Max Webber, Co-Host of The Interview, to discuss the university’s recent milestones, his reflections on a career dedicated to student success, and his thoughts on how to prepare students for life beyond college.

Tim’s Journey

Max: Welcome back to The Interview, Tim. First off, I’d love to hear if there have been any stand-out moments at your institution since we last had you on.

The biggest recent highlight for us was moving up to the top level of football three years ago. Over the winter break, we won our first-ever bowl game, which was an incredible moment for the university. This is a major milestone because it signifies that we've "arrived" in some ways.

We became a national university a couple of years ago, so we’re also competing at a higher level academically as well as in athletics. It’s had a huge impact on our profile. Just today, I was in a meeting discussing admissions, and we’re potentially looking at 45,000 applications this year. Four years ago, we weren’t even hitting 18,000. These achievements have brought a significant level of visibility and prestige to JMU.

Max: In terms of your career, what continues to fuel your work and your passion for student affairs?

Honestly, I get to wake up every morning and go to college. Our students – mostly 18 to 22 years old – are in such a transformative stage of their lives. I often tell them, "These won’t be the best four years of your life." I mean, it’d be pretty depressing to peak at 22! But these are definitely the most transformative years, and I feel privileged to be part of that journey.

That privilege also comes with its challenges. One of the hardest moments of my career, and life, is when we lose students. That happened last semester, and I was there for the friends they left behind. Those are experiences that stay with you forever. But it’s this connection – being there for the highs and lows of our students’ lives – that drives me every single day.

Max: We speak a lot about creating a campus environment that makes students feel like they belong and can succeed – how do you do that, especially with your growing student numbers?

This is something I think about a lot, and honestly, it worries me. Today’s students often struggle to reach out to others or be social in the ways past generations might have. Just this morning, I sent a video message to our entire student body. At JMU, we have this long-standing tradition called “We hold doors” – literally holding the door open for the person behind you. But I’ve started asking students to go beyond that and open doors. What I mean is, if you see someone sitting alone, invite them to join you. If you know someone who hasn’t found their place yet, go the extra mile to welcome them. It’s such a simple act, but it can be transformative for someone looking for community.

Max: That’s a great message – how do you promote that message across your campus community?

Social media has been an incredible tool for me. I’ve got about 20,000 followers, and I find that both students and parents really engage with my content. Every month, I send out a letter to students – and their parents. The student-parent relationship has changed so much over the years. They’re closer than ever; many are best friends. So, if I can reach parents, I have a better chance of reaching students, too.

Max: Post-Covid, one of the things we often hear is that students are less able to speak across differences and handle conflicts effectively – how do you promote unity on campus?

This is one of the toughest issues we’re facing on campuses right now. Students are coming in more entrenched in their views than ever before, and there’s often a reluctance to engage with those who think differently. What worries me most is the daily stuff. I want our students to have those everyday conversations where they can disagree respectfully and still care about each other. We’ve lost some of that ability. But I do think college is the perfect place to help them relearn those skills.

Max: How do you promote that mindset with students and get those conversations going when it comes to small interactions?

The classroom is critical. It can’t just be a place where someone at the front of the room lectures, and students memorize what they’re told. It has to be a space for debate and discussion because it’s the one place where everyone comes together. Our faculty play a vital role in facilitating these conversations. They need to be willing to dive into tough topics, and students need to learn how to sit in a room with people who hold different views.

Max: What is the one thing you wish you knew at the start of your career that would’ve better prepared you for your journey?

I’ve got two. First, I love that image of a straight line labeled “What people think success looks like” next to a tangled mess with an arrow coming out, labeled “What success really looks like.” I wish I’d known that there’s no straight path in a career. You have to embrace the good, the bad, and the hard – it’s all part of the journey. Second, I’ve learned the importance of taking time for yourself. Over winter break, I took three weeks off – something I’ve never done before. It was an absolute blessing. I came back to work feeling refreshed and ready to go. Vacation time is a benefit, and if you don’t use it, you’re essentially giving it back. Take the time to fill your cup so you can come back better.