University of La Verne Alum Takes Helm of Pasadena City College

One path led to the glamor of Los Angeles television. The other – a teaching job at University of La Verne – offered more time with family.

That was the tough decision Dr. Robert Miller faced in the late 1970s while working in telecommunications at Pasadena City College.

Miller’s current role as Interim Superintendent/President at Pasadena City College is one that calls for frequent critical decision-making. But that is something he embraces.

“I’m a consensus builder,” Miller said. “One of my axioms is that we honor, respect and celebrate all people – students, faculty and staff alike. And even if we have differences, they come from a good place,” he said.

Miller, 59, was appointed Interim Superintendent/President in September, having served as the Acting Superintendent/President since May. The college hopes to have someone in the position permanently by July 1.

Miller is a long-time member of academia, but it was not always his focus.

After a childhood in Long Island, N.Y., Miller and his family moved to Pasadena so his father – a respected audio engineer in the television industry – could work for ABC in Hollywood. Miller has called Pasadena his home ever since.

He began following in his father’s footsteps in high school by taking Regional Occupational Program courses in television operations and production. He enrolled at Pasadena City College after graduating high school, and continued gaining experience in television production.

Dr. Armen Sarafian, then PCC President, left the college to become President at University of La Verne. Sarafian, who respected Miller’s work, offered him a job as an assistant professor and free tuition to finish his business administration degree at La Verne.

Around the same time, KABC offered him an associate director/stage manager position. The choice was difficult, but Miller remembered the long hours his father worked, and that he rarely saw him due to his profession. He was newly married and decided that working the 4 p.m. to midnight shift in support of the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news was not a good way to start a marriage.

Miller chose La Verne, teaching there for two years and obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree before returning to PCC. He remained at PCC 10 years, working his way up to Assistant Dean of Learning Resources. Then Miller tried his hand first in real estate property management and investment, and later with Intelecom – an organization that produces academic distance learning videos and online content for community colleges.

As vice president of development, marketing, sales and member services, he logged 150,000 to 225,000 traveling miles annually to work with federal and state agencies on Intelecom projects. But no matter where he was, he still flew home on weekends to be with his family.

Though he loved the job, after nearly sixteen years and approaching 50, he told his wife he didn’t see himself living the road warrior life forever. That is when an Associate Dean of Academic Support position opened at PCC. He did not get the job initially, but he says the person selected did not wish to take on the major challenges the position would face.

Miller was the No. 2 pick, and he stepped up to the plate.

From there, he continued rising up through administration, becoming Assistant Superintendent and Senior Vice President of Business and College Services in 2012.

University of La Verne Associate Professor of Public Administration Dr. Marcia Godwin, who served as Miller’s dissertation chair while he was pursuing his doctorate in public administration at La Verne, described Miller as a rare leader with a record of long-term commitment to not only PCC, but also the Tournament of Roses and La Verne.

“He recognizes that developing people and organizations takes time and dedication, which will serve him well in his new role at PCC.  His approach to leadership exemplifies La Verne’s values of diversity, civic engagement, ethical reasoning, and lifelong learning.”

Miller says he has fond memories of his time at La Verne.

“It was just a great place,” he said. “This is where you want to send your kids. It’s small enough for them to be safe and feel cared for and it’s large enough to get the services you need. It also provides one of the best undergraduate eudcations available and positions students well for graduate studies.”

Even if he is not hired in his current position permanently, Miller considers finishing out his career as an assistant superintendent and senior vice president at one of the most successful community colleges in the nation to be a worthy achievement. He intends to continue his work at PCC and the Tournament of Roses Association, for which he has been a member 31 years and will have the honor of being the President of the Association in 2021. At the college, he is taking on issues related to shared governance and collective bargaining head on, and says the campus climate has improved since he took the helm.

He believes his return to Pasadena City College after a number of professional detours happened for a reason, and he credits his wife and two children with supporting him along the way.

“Nothing happens without hard work and passion for what you’re doing and the love of a family who lets you do what you need to do,” he said.