Biography:
Kenneth O. Miles lives his life according to the motto “Be a man for others.”
Miles’ commitment to the “well rounded” student-athlete comes from his time as a four year letterman at the University of Virginia. He used his stature in those roles to be a positive influence to his teammates and the Charlottesville community by mentoring youth through the Big Brother program and befriending an elderly woman through the Adopt-A-Grandparent program.
“When you get involved, you develop strong relationships with people and share part of yourself with them,” Miles said. “I enjoy having an impact on people.”
Miles earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art and a Master of Education in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia. In addition, Miles earned a Master of Science degree in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University. Currently, he is working on his doctorate in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University. Miles' research investigates how first generation Black students navigate post-secondary education at traditionally white institutions.
After Miles’ graduation, he returned to his high school, Gonzaga College, to be an art teacher from 1993-95 before returning to serve as the Academic and Life Skills Coordinator to student-athletes at Virginia for two and a half years.
Miles arrived at Syracuse University in 1997 as the Director for Academic Support. Under his academic direction, the Syracuse football program notched a perfect 100 percent graduation rate in 2000 which lead the nation and earned the American Football Coaches Association Achievement Award. He also garnered a 93 percent rate during the 1999 and 2001 seasons and an 83 percent in 1998. Those marks earned honorable mention recognition within of American Football Coaches Association Achievement awards.
In 2002 Miles became the Assistant Dean for Student Services and in 2006 became the Executive Director for Diversity Enrollment Management and Graduate Admissions in the iSchool starting in 2006. He created the Kenneth O. Miles Scholarship at Syracuse University through the Our Time Has Come Initiative. The scholarship is designed to assist a Syracuse University student of color cover the costs of a college education. Impassioned by his own doctoral research in Cultural Foundations of Education and his interactions on campus, Miles defines this scholarship as his contribution to a larger societal, educational and economic problem.
Miles returned to the Syracuse Athletics Department as the Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Service in 2006. His efforts and accomplishments with the Orange also have been either recognized or nominated by Golden Key (2008), Phi Beta Delta (2007), an Honor Society for International Scholars (2007), Marquis Who’s Who in American Education (2003-04-05-06-07), Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2003-04-05-06), Marquis Who’s Who in America (2002-03-04-05-06-07), and the International WHO’S WHO of Professionals (2004-05).
In 2008, Miles joined the LSU family as the Executive Director of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes. The Center continues to maintain certification from the prestigious College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) under Miles.
In addition, Miles has already created a formal media training program, designed a media studio, implemented a digital signage plan and upgraded the main computer lab with Macs and Dells. He created the Student Learning Center, created advisory boards for Professional/Career Development, Student Learning, Health & Wellness and Diversity, Inclusion and Civic Engagement, developed a 5 year strategic plan, renovated the Life Skills office and been instrumental in a complete overhaul in the center’s website.
Under his academic direction, the LSU football program had a 54 percent graduation rate in 2008. He also garnered a 60 percent rate during the 2009 season, 67 percent rate during the 2010 season, a 77 percent in 2011 and 2012 seasons second in the SEC to Vanderbilt.
In May 2012, Miles was named the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.
This year, marks the 10 year renovation anniversary of the Cox Communications Academic Center and currently the academic center is partnering with the Art Department to house a permanent art exhibit entitled, “Thirty Years of LSU Printmaking.”
Miles is a member of the Baton Rouge Rotary and the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the LSU Museum of Art Advisory Board and the Black Male Leadership Initiative committee.
“It’s truly an honor to work with such a talented team of educators,” Miles said. “At LSU we have the best job in America because every day we come to work; we can impact someone else's life.”
Overall LSU Graduation Success Rate
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
69% |
71% |
74% |
78% |
80% |
|
LSU Football Graduation Sucess Rate |
|
54% |
60% |
67% |
77% |
77% |
The chart above signifies the LSU Graduation Success Rates since Miles arrived at LSU.