As the Jacksonville University Athletics celebrates the 50th anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation, we will honor, acknowledge, and provide information on members of the Dolphin family who help make a difference at JU by assisting our athletic department, coaches, and student-athletes. These featured Dolphins truly embody the meaning of Title IX through their work in maintaining a campus culture of inclusion and acceptance with no exception to gender.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law in the United States of America that was passed as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives funding from the federal government.
From today until the June 23 anniversary passing of Title IX, JU Athletics will feature several individuals who play a role in influencing the success of our current student-athletes, in-and-out of competition in the Green and White.
Joining the athletic department prior to the 2021-22 school year, Taylor Miller is an Academic Athletic Advisor, working primarily with men's and women's basketball.
Prior to coming to JU, she worked as an Academic Success Coach from 2020-21 at Stony Brook University. She worked with a caseload of football student-athletes and advised, assisted and mentored athletes in different areas of their academic, personal and professional lives, while collaborating with coaches and various athletic department personnel to enhance the student-athlete experience.
Miller graduated from State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) in 2018 with a B.A. in Communication Studies, with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising. She completed her master's degree at Stony Brook, graduating Summa Cum Laude with an M.A. in Higher Education Administration in 2021.
A basketball player in college, she started her career at Queens College, leading the team to its first ECC Championship and participating in the NCAA Division II Tournament. She transferred to SUNY Cortland for her remaining three years, and served as a team captain, helping lead the team to the postseason every year she was there. Miller was selected as a Red Letter Award Winner and Unsung Hero Award winner in 2018, and was a two-team Defensive Player of the Year (2016/18).
Q: As a student-athlete and growing up, what was your knowledge on Title IX and the impact is has had on education in the United States?
Miller: I have played sports my whole life, and through college. I have a B.A. in Communication Studies from the State University of New York College at Cortland and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration in from Stony Brook University. Professionally, before my position at JU, I worked as an Advisor with Football at Stony Brook. Prior to that, I taught math and coached basketball at a High School in San Diego.
Q: What impact has sports had on your personal and professional life?
Miller: Sports has shaped the person I am today. It has brought me my closest friends and turned them into family. Competing in college was such a wonderful experience that I knew I did not want to have to leave that environment. Because of this I pursued a career in Collegiate Athletics.
Q: What lessons as it relates to Title IX and women in sports have helped you throughout your career?
Miller: My competitiveness and drive is a result of Title IX. I had the opportunity to play sports, and have been doing so since I was five years old. Having to prove myself when on a co-ed team as a little girl, sparked a fire that never went dull. It has given me a drive to be seen in a career field that is dominated by men.
Q: What advice would you give to young women who would like to build a successful career working in sports?
Miller: Do not be afraid to ask for what you want.
