Jeff Miller’s responsibilities are as small as the smallest computer component, and as large as the universe.  He has a split position: In Information Technology, he provides technical support for and advice about the purchase and configuration of Macintosh computers, and performs training and troubleshooting. In Physics, teaches astronomy and runs introductory labs. An observational astronomer (he studies and collects data using a telescope rather than computer modeling), he and his colleague Aileen O’Donoghue are searching for “dark galaxies,” ones that appear at radio wavelengths, but not when observed optically. “This involves a senior physics major,” he notes; “it’s very exciting to be able to work with students in such cutting-edge research.”

“My most rewarding experience as a teacher has been seeing students go out into the world to advance their careers or pursue advanced degrees and knowing that in some small way I contributed to their future,” he says. “A senior physics major I worked with on the dark galaxies project is now in a Ph.D. program. And, after taking my introductory astronomy course, another student decided that she wants to be an astronomer. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

On the “tech support” side, Miller says working in Information Technology has allowed him to meet people from all the disciplines across campus. “I have made friends who have very different interests than I do, an advantage of working at liberal arts institution,” he observes.  “I really enjoy working with so many talented people, both students and colleagues. I learn something new every day. That’s the best part about academia—it’s a life-long learning experience.”

Outside of work, Miller enjoys photography, home movie-making, tinkering with computers and cars, hiking, bicycle riding, ice-skating, and watching old science fiction movies.  He’s on the Board of Directors of the Adirondack Public Observatory, a group of amateur and professional astronomers who wish to build an observatory near Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks.  Furthermore, he adds, “I have appointed myself in charge of informing the campus about the interesting sights to be seen when you look up into the night sky.”