Katie Miles, a 2001 York University alumna, has been named the school's dean of students beginning August 1, 2024. Interim President Jared Stark shared the announcement with campus following an intense search and interview process. In the announcement, Stark noted that, “This was a very difficult decision. The search committee and I worked hard to vet a field of outstanding candidates, but we also asked God to clearly point the way. It is my firm belief that He did just as we asked.”
Miles is a native of Montana whose education and career path have taken her around the globe. Following her undergraduate studies at York, she served for five years as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, where she worked in communications, trained as a paratrooper, and was later reclassified into the medical community. Her service included deployment to Afghanistan and concluded with work stateside as a respiratory therapist. She most recently has worked as a registered respiratory therapist at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois.
When asked about her decision to pursue a major life shift, Miles shared, “I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the role of dean of students at York University. I hold York University and its students, faculty and staff in the highest regard. My life was transformed in the five years that I attended York University and I have a desire to give back to the community that poured so much into me. I am passionate about the university and passionate about leading students to Christ. I am very aware that I can do Kingdom work no matter where I am located, but I feel God calling my family to York to do a work that is both difficult and beautiful.”
Interim President Jared Stark stated, “Katie has illustrated her investment in York University by serving on our Soul Quest staff for many years as our head nurse. In this role, she didn't just bandage wounds, she led a group of nurses, did all our inventory, served students, communicated with staff and parents and created processes that made our event better and safer. The bottom line is that Katie is a strong leader with a gentle spirit and has illustrated these qualities wherever she has been. She is a ‘go-getter’ with strong resolve and a deep belief in our mission as a Christ-centered institution.”
Miles completed her B.B.A. from the Elijah A. Levitt School of Business at York University and received her respiratory therapist training from the US Army School of Health Sciences in Fort Sam Houston, Texas and Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey. Miles and her husband, Aaron, have five children, Jayden, Haven, Axton, Skylar, and Saige.