Steve Miller to Lead Expanding USF Sarasota-Manatee Program

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook has named Steve Miller, PhD, as associate professor of Risk Management and Insurance in the College of Business. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Miller will serve as the leader of the RMI program when he officially joins USFSM Aug. 7.

Dr. Miller has been a member of the faculty in the Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University since 2009, where he was instrumental in leading and developing the RMI program into one of the top programs in the nation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Miller to our faculty to provide opportunities for our students to learn from someone with such an outstanding background in finance, risk management and insurance,” Dr. Holbrook said. “Dr. Miller’s arrival will also help us to deepen our partnerships with industry leaders in our region as we develop well-trained graduates who meet critical workforce needs.”

USFSM created a minor in risk management and insurance in 2015 and expanded the program to include a Bachelor of Science degree in the field in 2017. The RMI program at USFSM is one of only two such programs offered by public universities in the state of Florida, and is designated as a “program of strategic emphasis” by the State University System’s Board of Governors.

“From a personal standpoint I love the challenge of building something and the opportunity to give back to the community and the industry,” Dr. Miller said. “The prospect of developing partnerships with industry leaders and working with students to explore the abundant career opportunities within the industry is very exciting.”

“The RMI industry as a whole is facing a need for new talent. Much of the current RMI workforce is comprised of baby boomers who are expected to retire. Further, employers are competing to attract talent that can exploit technology and drive innovation. The resulting talent gap offers a tremendous opportunity for students. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity and look forward to getting started.”

Dr. Miller has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in corporate risk management and related topics and served as a foreign expert at Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China, through a project designed to enhance RMI education through cultural exchange.

Dr. Miller brings a wealth of industry experience to USFSM, serving 10 years as a consultant based in Chicago, New York and London, managing a team to implement large-scale consulting engagements, and as a practice leader and business development lead for consulting engagements in Asia, Central America and South America.

His research has been widely published, and his academic achievements have been recognized by national organizations, including the American Risk and Insurance Association, who presented him with the 2019 Strickler Innovation in Instruction Award.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Dr. Miller holds a PhD in risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia (2010), and bachelor’s degrees in risk management and insurance and finance, investment and banking from the University of Wisconsin (1994). His wife, Tina Yang, PhD, will be joining USF St. Petersburg as an associate professor in its finance department.