 For the past few
years, Dr. Christopher Miller, associate professor of Civil
Engineering, has what he considers an innovative approach
to teaching. Rather than serving as the principal source
of knowledge for his students as with classical teaching,
he acts as a facilitator by encouraging self-directed learning.
“The process of learning is as important, if not more
so, as the subject matter itself,” he said. “I
focus my energy on teaching students how to learn and how
to improve their learning process so they can go to any class
or situation and be aware of the problem-solving process.”
Students in the College of Engineering have recognized Dr
Miller’s efforts and have bestowed him the 2003 Teacher
of the Year Award.
“I am very pleased to be recognized,” he said. “I
became a professor primarily for the teaching aspect. The
students are the driving force behind the selection. It is
very nice to be recognized for my efforts.”
“The fact that the award comes form the entire college
and not just civil engineering students makes it all the
more meaningful,” he added.
Like most in the academic filed, Dr. Miller has always wanted
to be a teacher; however, being a college professor was not
his initial goal. At first, he aspired to be a high school
math teacher and baseball coach, but as fate would have it,
he took a job as an undergraduate in environmental engineering
and was then encouraged to continue his education.
Dr. Miller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1990,
his master’s degree in 1992, and doctorate degree in
1995; all in civil and Environmental Engineering at the University
of Iowa. Upon graduation, he started at the University of
Akron as an assistant professor.
Throughout the years, Dr. Miller has taught five different
undergraduate-level courses, and seven graduate-level courses,
mostly in the environmental engineering area. He has advised
seven master’s thesis students and fiver engineering
reports. This year, he is advising two doctorate candidates
and overseeing six undergraduate honor’s projects.
A professional engineering in the State of Ohio, Dr. Miller
holds one patent and three patents are pending. He serves
on the college of Engineering Hearing Board Pool and the
Department of Civil Engineering Undergraduate Committee.
In addition, he is the faculty advisor of the ASCE Student
Chapter and member of the Microscale Physicochemical Engineering
Center (MPEC).
Additional honors and awards Dr. Miller has received include
the ASCE Faculty Advisor Reward Program (2002), the University
of Akron Patent Society, the Raymond C. Firestone Research
Initiation Fellowship from the University in 1996, and the
Neil B. Fisher Engineering Fellowship from the University
of Iowa in 1991.
Dr. Miller is involved in several professional and community
committees, including the American Society for Engineering
Education, the association of Environmental Engineering and
Science Professors, the Water Environment Federation, the
American Water Works Association, the Sigma Xi Scientific
Research Society, the International Ozone Association, the
American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Chemical
Society, and the University of Akron Patent Society.
As a researcher, he has helped generate
more that $420,000 in external funds and $120,000 in internal
funds. He has
made 19 oral and poster presentations and has co-authored
34 papers proceedings, and abstracts.
In his spare time, Dr. Miller enjoys golf and is an avid
investor. He and his wife Janelle have an eight-month-old
daughter Madyson.
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