Share this Story
President Miller: A Modern-Day Communicator at the Helm of Virginia Wesleyan University
Few university presidents embody the spirit of 21st-century leadership like Dr. Scott D. Miller
University News | May 27, 2025
Dr. Scott D. Miller, President of Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, is widely recognized as one of the most visible and engaged university leaders in American higher education today. Known for his dynamic communication style and unmatched social media presence, Miller has made a national name for himself by blending traditional leadership with modern connectivity.
Across platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Flickr, Miller connects daily with more than 40,000 followers—a broad audience that includes students, alumni, faculty, trustees, and national thought leaders. He pens a daily blog, publishes regular campus updates through Nota Bene, and sends out a widely distributed monthly President’s Letter and From the Desk commentary to local and national leaders. His style is transparent, consistent, and unmistakably personal.
“Being a university president today means being present—digitally and physically,” says Miller, seated in the Birdsong Presidential Suite in Godwin Hall, surrounded by books, memorabilia from a 35-year presidential career, and family photos, including those of his four grandchildren. “Social media helps me stay connected to all corners of our community. It’s not just messaging—it’s engagement.”
Featured in #FollowTheLeader (2015), a book profiling social media-savvy higher ed CEOs, Miller has long been ahead of the curve. He was using digital platforms to tell the story of higher education before many presidents even had accounts. His strategic approach is rooted in his undergraduate experience as a communications major and reporter at West Virginia Wesleyan.
“My goal has always been to have the most effective communication strategy among university presidents,” he says. “That means meeting people where they are—especially students.”
On campus, Miller is often spotted having coffee in the Batten Student Center, cheering on the Marlins, or snapping selfies with students between classes. His social media isn’t managed by a distant team; he posts 100 percent of the content himself, often early in the morning or late at night while traveling. Students from other institutions follow him. Graduate students write about his approach. And VWU alumni frequently reach out to express appreciation for the ongoing connection.
Since becoming president in 2015, Miller has led Virginia Wesleyan’s transformation into a thriving university with over 5,000 learners across its traditional campus (1,500 students) and Global Campus (3,500 learners) programs. Under his leadership, VWU has received national recognition for innovation and student engagement from organizations like New American Colleges and Universities, Colleges of Distinction, and The Princeton Review.
“Everything we do ties back to the student-centered mission,” he says. “We’ve expanded facilities, launched new schools and programs, and grown enrollment—but at the heart of it all is the Wesleyan Experience, where learning happens 168 hours a week, not just in the classroom.”
Miller’s social media strategy reinforces that experience. Whether posting updates about sustainability efforts, celebrating faculty awards, or spotlighting student successes, he views each post as a branding opportunity and a chance to showcase the university’s distinct identity in Coastal Virginia.
He also uses his platforms in times of crisis, offering real-time updates and messages of reassurance. “Social media lets us communicate quickly, directly, and with authenticity,” he says. “In leadership, that’s powerful.”
Beyond campus, Miller is a sought-after speaker on strategic communication and presidential leadership. He has addressed national audiences at the Lawlor Symposium, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Back at Virginia Wesleyan, students still recall the time he led a breakout session on “The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media” during the student-led Marlin Prestige Business Conference. “That’s just who he is,” one student said. “He’s in the moment with us—online and in real life.”
Though much has changed since he arrived at VWU, Miller’s commitment to accessibility, authenticity, and student success has remained constant. “Leadership is about listening and learning,” he says. “Social media simply gives us more ways to do both.”
As Virginia Wesleyan University continues to evolve, Dr. Scott Miller’s voice remains one of its most enduring and effective connections to the world beyond campus.