Justin “Jay” Miller was appointed Dean and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education in July 2019, becoming the youngest dean in the country. He holds degrees from Western Kentucky University, Spalding University, and the University of Louisville.

A dedicated scholar and advocate, Dean Miller’s work focuses on child welfare, juvenile justice, and self-care for helping professionals. His research has shaped policies and practices supporting foster youth and participatory engagement. In 2017, he founded The Self-Care Lab, the first known research lab dedicated to self-care among professionals in high-stress fields.

Beyond academia, Dean Miller has led key social work and juvenile justice initiatives, serving on state and federal advisory committees. His leadership includes roles with the Kentucky Board of Social Work, St. Joseph’s Children’s Orphanage, and various foster care programs. He is also actively involved in community service, having served as co-founder and past president of the Louisville Association of Social Workers, founder of the Jefferson County Foster Care Peer Support Program, and founder of the Kentucky Chapter of the Foster Care Alumni of America.

His contributions have earned national and international recognition, including Kentucky’s Paul Grannis Award, the Sunny Andrews Award from ASWB, and the Supporting the Workforce Award from the Children’s Bureau. He is also a published author, co-writing Activating a Teaching-Learning Philosophy and co-editing The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.

Most importantly, Dean Miller is a proud foster and kinship alum!