Laura Nicole Miller Appointed Director of Graduate Business Programs
At the beginning of the academic year, Laura Nicole Miller, assistant professor of organizational communications, was appointed program director of the Grenon School of Business’ Graduate Programs.
Miller, who holds a doctorate in educational technology (DET) from Central Michigan University, will shape and develop the Grenon School’s graduate school programs to meet the changing needs of today’s business students.
“We believe Assumption is charting a course in graduate business education made distinctive by its emphasis on mission-driven, relationship-centered excellence,” said Patrick Cullen, dean of the Grenon School of Business. “We’re excited for the creative and collaborative approach Dr. Miller will take in bringing that vision to fruition.”
One of the key strengths Miller has identified in the University’s graduate business programs is the opportunity for students to work with faculty who are scholar-practitioners.
“These are people who have been out there—who are out there now, in the world of business,” said Miller, who has more than a decade of industry practice and strategic leadership experience at EdTech startups.
“I think our programs can offer students something really different in the space, which is meaningful interaction with their faculty, and with each other,” said Miller. “What we’ve learned coming out of the pandemic is that professionals want and need flexibility in their graduate studies, but they desire authentic community too. They want opportunities to come to campus and network and be part of something. We can offer that.”
Assumption’s graduate business programs, particularly the part-time flexible Master of Business Administration program, are distinguished by small learning cohorts and accessibility for working professionals from all backgrounds—not just those in business.
The University’s streamlined MBA 599 Business Foundations course takes the place of cumbersome prerequisites for students who did not major in an undergraduate business field and equips them with the foundational knowledge to succeed in graduate-level management studies. Through an engaging simulation, students navigate complex business dilemmas and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of those decisions.
“Whether in our certificate or degree-granting programs, graduate business study at Assumption forms thoughtful leaders who know how to balance ethical and competitive pressure,” said Miller. “These are market-ready skills that empower leaders in any field, from healthcare, to education, government, nonprofits, and of course, business.”
As she refines programs, Miller’s focus will be expanding the student-centered experience. She aims to enrich students’ online learning experience and offer more moments of person-to-person mentorship, career coaching, collaboration, and networking. Looking toward the future, Miller is eager to ensure that Grenon’s graduate programs not only prepare leaders for today’s marketplace, but tomorrow’s as well. She points toward an upcoming undergraduate business class, Silicon Valley Mindset, as the kind of new programming that she hopes to expand upon as the program takes a new direction.
Even in the constantly changing world of business, Miller believes the key value of graduate business education remains the same. “If you don’t know history, you’ll repeat it. And if you don’t know theory, you’ll learn it in practice, and it will be expensive. Graduate business study is intended to give working professionals a running start on translating theory to practice. And at Grenon particularly, we want to create stackable pathways—certificates, micro-credentials, and degrees—so students can scale their learning with us as their careers evolve.”