President Miller initiated the Presidential Associates Program in 1999 when he was President of Wesley College. Since that time, hundreds of students at Wesley, Bethany College, and now Virginia Wesleyan University have benefited from meaningful, compensated work in the Office of the President.
The Presidential Associates Program provides an opportunity for students to work with the president and his staff on projects that support the mission and purpose of Virginia Wesleyan University. Presidential Associates are a part of the University's Work & Learn Program or graduate internship program. Typically, they do not receive academic credit, unless they make arrangements through their department to complete departmental internship requirements. The number hired in a given semester is dependent on a range of factors, but will usually be in the range of two to five. Most Presidential Associates are appointed for the academic year and can be re-appointed for additional years.
Projects and responsibilities include presidential communication, legislative and prospect research, social media, event coordination, record retention, and presidential archives.