A geophysicist who holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University will serve as the University of Wyoming's new provost/vice president of academic affairs.

Kate Miller will step into her new role as the second-in-command at UW Aug. 1, succeeding current vice president of academic affairs David Jones. Miller started her career as a geologist for Amoco Production Co. before she earned her Ph.D. from Stanford in 1991.

"I am so thrilled to have Dr. Miller joining the University of Wyoming as chief academic officer," says UW President Laurie Nichols. "Her academic background and leadership experience made her an obvious choice."

Miller has led the 100 faculty members, 26 research scientists and 1,500 students of the Texas A&M College of Geosciences as dean since 2009. She supervised an annual teaching and research budget of $100 million.

"Her experience at Texas A&M will help UW go to the next level of excellence," continued Nichols. "I am very excited to work with her."

Miller served as associate dean of the College of Science at the University of Texas at El Paso from 2004-08, where she began as a research specialist in 1991 and ascended the ranks.

Miller graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1982 with her bachelor's degree in geological and geophysical sciences. Before earning her Ph.D., she graduated from Stanford with a master's degree in geophysics in 1988.

"I am very excited to be joining the University of Wyoming, which I have admired for many years," says Miller. "Even with today's budget concerns, I recognize the strong support from the state and other stakeholders that will assure that UW thrives in the long term. It will be an honor to be part of the process."

Miller worked as a development geologist, summer geophysicist and exploration geophysicist for Amoco, now BP, from 1982-88.

Jones will return to his faculty position in the UW College of Health Sciences.

Nichols' selection now goes to the UW Board of Trustees, which has the final say. Miller was selected through a search process similar to that used by the Trustees in their selection of Nichols.

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