Jim and Tara Miller

Jim Miller (Social Work ‘79) currently serves as Executive Director in University Development at NC State. Originally from Elkin, North Carolina, he was involved in the Student Social Work Association, Bragaw Residence Hall Board of Governors, and intramural sports while a student at NC State. Jim is from a middle class family deeply rooted in a commitment to community service, and his studies in Social Work strengthened his resolve to make a difference in the lives of others. After graduation, he worked in community mental health for six years and spent three years in consultative sales before finding his true calling as a fundraiser – a natural combination of “sales” for a greater good. Jim has spent 30+ years at four universities helping donors provide significant impact around their philanthropic passions for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and programs.

Tara Melton-Miller currently serves as Office Administrator at Fuquay-Varina (NC) Presbyterian Church, and is an animal portrait artist. A native of Charleston, West Virginia, she studied studio art at the University of Charleston (UC). Upon graduating from UC, Tara relocated to the Raleigh area. Following a progressive exploration of abstract expressionism, wall murals, the ancient method of Japanese Kumihimo braiding, watercolors and mixed media, Tara has turned her focus to animal portraiture, her mediums being Pan Pastels and charcoal.

Both Jim and Tara embrace the value and personal impact of the humanities in their own lives and in our culture. They established this scholarship to support students with financial need so that they can pursue their own passions and choose their career and life paths with less consideration of the associated financial rewards.