Dr. Vaughn S. Millner

Dr. Vaughn S. Millner has been appointed dean of the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs at the University of South Alabama effective January 1.
 
Millner joined the University in 1999 as a counselor in counseling and testing services in the division of student affairs, and joined the department of professional studies in the College of Education as an assistant professor in 2001.  She earned the rank of associate professor in 2007 with a joint appointment in the College of Education and the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs. She was chair of interdisciplinary studies in the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs from 2007 through 2009, and in 2009 was appointed interim dean of that school, serving in that capacity over the past year and a half. 

“I am very excited that Dr. Millner has agreed to serve as dean,” said Dr. David Johnson, senior vice president for academic affairs at USA.  “She has done a great job as interim dean, and is highly regarded in the University community.  She has strong interpersonal skills, as you might expect from someone with a background in counseling, and she is a highly effective leader who will advance the school over the years ahead. I look forward to continuing to work with such an outstanding colleague.”

A University alumna, Millner received her master's of science in community counseling from the University of South Alabama. She received her doctorate in counselor education from Auburn University.
 
Millner has published more than two dozen research papers in professional peer-reviewed journals and contributed to a book, a book chapter, and encyclopedia entries on various topics of human relations training, human sexuality, and public health. Her published work has appeared in professional journals such as the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical Journal, The Journal of Counseling and Development, and The Family Journal.

She has presented and contributed to more than 80 research presentations at international, national, and regional meetings. Her current research efforts associated with adolescent pregnancy prevention is supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her collaborative work with community groups to extend research to facilitate adolescent pregnancy prevention was chosen by the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy as a national case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of promoting science through university/agency collaboration. 
 
Millner is a licensed professional counselor and a nationally certified counselor. She served as section editor for The Family Journal, an international journal for marriage and family counselors for five years, and served on various editorial journal review boards.   Millner has been a highly effective instructor dedicated to students, who has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in the fields of counselor education and educational psychology, and undergraduate courses in interdisciplinary studies.

The School of Continuing Education and Special Programs is the primary public service outreach arm for the University.  It provides and supports lifelong educational learning experiences and serves as an advocate for both traditional and nontraditional students.

The school offers a comprehensive academic curriculum to a diverse public, with credit and non-credit programs delivered in a variety of locations and formats: classrooms on the main campus, the USA Baldwin County campus or off-campus; through distance learning and weekend classes; workshops, conferences, and in other countries.  In addition, it offers educational and training services in corporate offices or other nontraditional settings.