Faces of IUP: Jessica Miller

For Jessica Miller, supporting students at IUP goes far beyond the walls of the Counseling Center. As the center's chair and director of the Haven Project, she's a steady advocate for emotional wellness, safety, and resilience-especially for those navigating the aftermath of trauma.

Whether she's guiding students through personal healing or mentoring future counselors, Miller's work is rooted in compassion, connection, and the belief that every student deserves to thrive.

Learn more about her in this Faces of IUP feature.

In a nutshell, what is your role in serving students at IUP?

As chair of the Counseling Center and director of the Haven Project, my role is to support students' emotional well-being, particularly those impacted by sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence. I work to ensure students have access to confidential support, crisis intervention, and advocacy services while also helping remove obstacles that may interfere with their academic and personal success at IUP.

For you, what's the most rewarding part of working with students?

The most rewarding part of working with students is seeing their growth and success. In my counseling work, it's deeply meaningful to witness students overcome challenges, build resilience, and reach a place where they feel empowered and confident in themselves. Equally rewarding is supervising and mentoring doctoral students, guiding them as they develop their clinical and professional identities, and then watching them go on to make a difference in the lives of others.

What advice would you give students about how to succeed in college?

My advice to students about how to succeed in college is to remember that success isn't just about academics-it's about balance, connection, and self-care. Reach out for support early, whether that's through counseling, academic resources, or trusted mentors. Build a community around you; connection is one of the strongest predictors of resilience. Take care of your mental and physical health, ask for help when you need it, and give yourself permission to grow through challenges. College is not only about earning a degree-it's about discovering who you are and developing the skills, confidence, and balance that will help you succeed long after graduation.

Tell us something most people may not know about you.

People might be surprised to know I live on a farm with cows and goats. Let's just say I'm better at visiting the barn and the baby animals than working in it!