During her time as a student at UNC-Asheville, Miller conducted research on paleography, earning $6,000 in grants and invitations to present her findings at national conference. Recently, she received the Nina Simone Senior Scholarship Award.

Miller was among 612 students honored at the UNCA commencement ceremony. They were treated to an impromptu performance by honorary degree recipient Doc Watson and an address by Thomas L. Purce, president of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., a nationally recognized public liberal arts institution,