Dr. Ben Ogles, dean of BYU’s College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, announced in December 2015 that Dr. Rick Miller will be serving as the chair of the Department of Sociology beginning January 1, 2016.

Dr. Miller is a graduate of BYU’s Sociology program (MS; 1984) and then did his PhD in Sociology at USC with emphases in Family Studies and Adult Development along with obtaining certification in Marriage and Family Therapy.  He was hired as an associate professor in the School of Family in 1999 after working for 11 years at Kansas State University and was promoted to the rank of professor in 2004.  He also has significant administrative experience including serving as the former director of the School of Family Life (2006-2012), associate dean (2005-2006), director of the Gerontology program (2002-2007), and director of the MFT graduate programs (MFT and PhD) at Kansas State (1994-1998).

Dr. Miller replaces Dr. Cardell Jacobson, who served as chair of the sociology department for many years.  In welcoming Dr. Miller, we also thank Dr. Jacobson for his faithful service.  Dean Ogles said of Dr. Jacobson: “I am grateful for his dedication to and hard work on behalf of the department and college.”