After 25 years of teaching, administration and scientific studies, Sharon Miller is retiring.

Miller is stepping down from her position as associate dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. Her retirement begins in January 2003.

“She’s been a great asset to the college,” said Shirley Richmond, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Miller said she always had planned on retiring about this time in her life. She said the timing seems right, because her husband Tom is retiring in December.

“It just seemed logical for me to not let him get too far ahead of me, having a good time,” Miller said.

In January 2001, after James Lankford, professor emeritus and previous dean of the college, retired from his position, Miller served as interim dean of the college for about 10 months. She then chose to re-assume the role of associate dean when Richmond was hired.

“She worked for me for, I guess probably nine years,” Lankford said.

He said he appreciated Miller’s efforts, because she enjoyed teaching and conducted scholarly activities in addition to her administrative responsibilities.

Lankford said Miller earned very good ratings for her teaching.

“She was always very good at teaching,” Lankford said.

He added that she did an excellent job with her administrative role. Miller also taught in the clinical laboratory science program at NIU. Lankford said she conducted studies in the area of vitamins, and published much of her work.

“She’s been a very delightful person to work with,” he said.

Lankford believes Miller will enjoy her retirement and hopes Miller will be able to keep teaching at NIU.

“I’m not going to fall off the face of the planet,” Miller said. “I’m still going to be involved here at Northern.”