By David Dykes

Greenville Technical College has named Larry Miller, Ph.D., as its third president, turning to one of its own to lead the public community college in Greenville, South Carolina.

Miller, 51, is vice president of learning and workforce development at Greenville Tech, serving as the college’s chief academic and continuing education officer.

College officials say he is a respected leader known for innovative thinking, investigative research, and forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders to drive student outcomes.

He succeeds Keith Miller (no relation).

"I'm honored, really, to be selected, and very excited to be named the third president of Greenville Technical College," Miller told reporters Friday after his selection was announced. 

"For our employees, I think we have a really talented team in place, and I'm excited about the opportunity to continue to grow and improve and help more students succeed in our community," he said. "And I'm anxious to get that work underway."

For students, he said, "our vision is really to change their economic lives. That's our mission. We want to make sure that we are preparing them for high-demand, high-wage, high-benefit job opportunities and that they can trust that we will not only continue to do that but continue to get better at that as the years go on."  

For the economic development community, "I see us as a really key partner and linchpin in all of our development strategies," especially workforce, Miller said.   

Earlier this month, The Greenville Technical College Area Commission announced the selection of four finalists for the position of college president, including Miller.

The announcement followed a search that yielded 61 applicants from across the community, state, and nation and a review and interview process that narrowed the field to 11 semi-finalists.

The other candidates were Sarah Barlow, provost and vice chancellor for workforce and student development at Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana; Amy Bosley, president of Northwest Vista College (NVC) in San Antonio, Texas; and Quentin R. Johnson, president of Southside Virginia Community College in Virginia.

“With the interest and support of the entire college community, the Area Commission has conducted a thorough national search resulting in a decision that ensures the future success of the college and its students,” said Ray Lattimore, chair of the Greenville Technical College Area Commission. 

Lattimore added, “Under its first two presidents, Greenville Technical College has built a reputation as a national pacesetter, and I feel confident that with Dr. Larry Miller as the institution’s next leader, we can achieve the ambitious goals that will only accelerate our strong momentum.”

Miller earned his Ph.D. in public administration at The Maxwell School -- Syracuse University and has authored numerous education finance and policy publications.

With over 25 years of experience in academia, Miller is a sought-after higher education executive with expertise in strategic vision and execution, data-driven leadership, national fundraising, and operations management.

He is an advocate for economic mobility, recruiting underserved students, and championing cross functional teams to achieve ambitious performance objectives. 

College officials say Miller has created positive momentum and tangible results.

Recent accomplishments include increasing the number of credentials awarded by 238 percent in one calendar year, leading change within online offerings that moved the program from unranked by Newsweek in 2022 to 21st in the nation in 2024, and establishing a partnership with Greenville County Schools that has driven GTC to rank first in the state for dual enrollment. 

College officials say that through a strategic portfolio management approach and collaboration with Harvard’s Strategic Data Project, Miller has effectively restructured program offerings, generating significant savings that contributed to college-wide salary increases while enhancing student success.

Recognized for innovation by Complete College America, he was invited to spearhead the college’s involvement in initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation. Included are five whole-college reform projects in advising, scheduling, finance, student pathways, and developmental education redesign. 

Beyond his tenure at GTC, Miller brings experience gained through positions as dean at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), superintendent of FSW’s Collegiate Charter Schools, senior research fellow for the University of Washington’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, assistant professor at Rutgers University, and management consultant for Arthur Andersen and KPMG.

Miller also has forged strong relationships in the community.

As elected vice-chair of Greenville County’s Workforce Development Board, he has streamlined processes and improved community services.

On the advisory board for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Industry Roundtable, he has played a pivotal role in developing a new performance reporting system.

Through board service for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville Area Development Association, Miller has strengthened economic development efforts at the college and in the community.