Greenville Technical College’s New President Shares His Goals for the Institution
Dr. Larry Miller, the new president of Greenville Technical College, has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing higher education and workforce development. Before assuming the presidency, Miller served as the college’s vice president of learning and workforce development for five years, where he spearheaded initiatives that led to increased access to dual enrollment for high schoolers and a 238% increase in credentials awarded in a single year.
The unprecedented growth elevated Greenville Tech’s online programs from unranked to the top ranked in South Carolina, according to Newsweek. Read on to learn about Miller’s background in higher education, his new role and his goals for the college.
In This Article
How did your previous work prepare you for your new role as president?
I have spent 25 years in academia, working as an assistant professor, senior research fellow, superintendent and dean, and gaining expertise in strategic vision and execution, data driven leadership, national fundraising and operations management.
Each of my prior roles gave me insight into the operation of an institution from a different vantage point. I started in the classroom and worked my way to becoming Greenville Technical College’s chief academic officer, gaining valuable experiences that have shown me that everything we do has to be student-centered, whether considering a curriculum change or setting budget priorities.
What are some of your goals for Greenville Technical College?
I plan to strengthen our partnerships with business and industry and educators at all levels. I will see that we continue to innovate to meet employer needs with efforts like our coming Center for Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, and I’ll make sure that we increase the talent pipeline for high-demand careers.
What role do you see Greenville Tech playing in the region’s workforce and economic development efforts?
Our role in workforce and economic development is key. Since the day we opened in 1962, we’ve seen to it that employers have the skilled job candidates they need to grow and that graduates are equipped to succeed in their chosen fields and earn competitive salaries.
How do you plan to grow the college’s collaborations with the local business community?
I plan to build on the strong relationships we’ve established through involvement with the county’s five economic development boards to proactively respond to projected workforce needs in 2028 and beyond.
I will also strengthen our connections with the many employers that serve on advisory boards for all of our programs, giving input into what we teach and how we equip our classrooms. When we anticipate a need, we will respond quickly with a solution, and if one doesn’t yet exist, we will innovate to create it.
What sets Greenville Technical College apart from other higher education institutions?
As a college, we are a national leader in using data to drive decisions that help more students succeed. For example, we know that early registration increases student success rates, so we’ve set a college-wide goal of improving early registration rates. That’s just one example of the continuous improvement mindset that is part of a culture that’s positively impacting student outcomes.
What advantages does the college offer students?
The education we offer is relevant, affordable and accessible. I think American consumers have a growing appetite for those qualities in higher education. I am pleased to say 93% of our graduates are employed in the field aligned with their training.
What advice do you have for incoming and graduating students?
I was the first in my family to attend college, so my advice for any student is to take advantage of every opportunity in front of you. Participate in student life activities so that you connect with others. Stop in during your professor’s office hours, if for no other reason than to build a relationship with them outside of the classroom, because strong relationships are the foundation to success in your career and in life.
Take advantage of our tutoring and counseling services if obstacles get in your way. The resources you need are waiting. Our most successful students are the ones who are not afraid to ask for help.
Get to Know Greenville, SC
Want to learn more about living and working in Greenville, SC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greenville: Live Here. Love Here. Career Here.