Spotlight on Community Impact: DR. CHAD MILLER

Dr. Chad R. Miller, professor of economic development, takes an engaged university approach to his research and the management of the Master of Science in Economic Development (MSED) program. An engaged university, generates and disseminates knowledge, which helps the community and, in turn, faculty and students learn from the community. This contrasts with the “ivory tower” university, where faculty and students are cut off from the community pursuing their own esoteric pursuits.

Taking this perspective, Dr. Miller has received more than $5 million in sponsored research, which was directed toward helping the community, funding graduate education for students, and giving students career-enhancing experience. He has received funding from such sources as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Energy, Mississippi Development Authority, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Examples of this work include establishing the Mississippi Defense Initiative, which develops the defense industry in the state, promotes defense innovation, and supports military installations and their communities.

Dr. Miller’s mainstream of research focuses on how transportation impacts economic development. This includes peer-reviewed research journal articles, such as “The Evolving Role of Rural River Ports as Strategic Economic Development Actors”, “Realizing the Economic Development Benefits of Short-line Railroads: The Case of Mississippi”, and “A Review of Public and Private Intermodal Railroad Development in the Memphis Region.” In recognition of his international reputation in this area, Dr. Miller was invited by the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board to join its Standing Committee on Economic Development and Land Use (AMS-50) and chair the Planning Committee for the 2024 TRB International Transportation and Economic Development Conference in Denver.

Working with the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Miller annually leads 10-15 community-funded student research projects. Typical studies include economic and fiscal impact studies, feasibility studies, labor workforce analysis, and strategic planning. An example of this was the Economic and Fiscal Impact Study of Mid-Delta Airport Hangar Improvements Greenville, Mississippi, which the community used to attract the investment needed to create 200 jobs through the attraction of Kearns Aerospace.

This external funding helps fund the education of graduate students in the MSED program and provides them with hands-on work experience. Over 30 students have had their graduate education paid for by the projects brought in by Dr. Miller. Funding support from Southern Miss Business allows three to four students per year to get economic development research experience while keeping the cost down for distressed communities, which need engaged university assistance. All these students interact with the communities, are named collaborators on the reports, and are expected to publicly present their findings.

The mantra of the MSED program is that we are not teaching students, we are developing future colleagues. This has created a strong mutually beneficial network with the economic development community. Alumni regularly contact the program seeking knowledge. This can be as simple as free advice or a quick no cost data pull, or more extensive studies, such as Mike Harvey of the Northwest Arkansas Council wanting to understand the emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) industry and commissioning the Northwest Arkansas Council Advanced Air Mobility Opportunities Cluster Study. In return, alumni hire and mentor MSED students and help with research. This engagement with the economic development community creates a two-way flow of benefit.

Public Engagement with Research

Actively involving the public in the research activity of the institution

Engaged Teaching

Developing teaching activities which positively impact the community and enhance students’ engagement skills

The Engaged University

Knowledge Exchange

Increasing the two-way flow of knowledge and insight between the university and wider society

Social Responsibility

Seeking to maximize the benefits that the institution can generate for the public