Cindy Miller, Ph.D.

Bio

Cynthia (Cindy) L. Miller, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Ph.D. Program Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Education at Texas Tech University. Her teaching and scholarship focus on work-based learning, career and workforce development, practical reasoning, curriculum development, and advocacy in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Prior to joining Texas Tech, Miller served as an Assistant Professor of Career and Technical Education and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program at Eastern New Mexico University. Her professional background also includes 13 years as a Career and Technical Education administrator and 11 years as a secondary business education teacher. She earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in Secondary Business Education, and her Ph.D. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, from Texas Tech University.

Research Interests or Areas of Expertise

• Work-Based Learning and Career Readiness
• Employer–Education and Workforce Partnerships
• Practical Reasoning in Family and Consumer Sciences
• Advocacy and Public Policy in Family and Consumer Sciences
• Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Decision-Making in Education

Certifications, Awards and Honors

Certifications

• Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor Certification, National Career Development Association (NCDA)
• Mid-Management Administrator Certificate (Grades K-12), Texas Education Agency
• Secondary Business Composite, Teacher Educator Certificate (Grades 6-12), Texas Education Agency
• Vocational Office Education, Teacher Educator Certificate (Grades 6-12), Texas Education Agency

Awards and Honors

• Texas Leader of the Year Award, American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate, 2026
• CHHS Faculty Award for Commitment to Engaged Scholarship, 2025-26
• President’s Excellence in Engaged Research Award, 2024
• Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honorary Member, 2024
• Teaching Academy Member, Texas Tech University, 2023
• Alumni New Faculty Award, Texas Tech University Alumni Association, 2023
• Friend of the Family Award, American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate, 2023

Selected Publications

Book, Textbook

Miller, C. L., Wanago, N., & Hinkle, D. (2025). CultivatingCritical Thinking: Integrating Practical Reasoning in Family and Consumer Sciences. TTU Raider Pressbooks: Open Education Resource. https://raider.pressbooks.pub/practicalreasoning/

Miller, C. L. (2024). Family Policy in Focus: Harnessing the Power of Practical Reasoning for Effective Advocacy and Change. TTU Raider Pressbooks: Open Education Resource. https://raider.pressbooks.pub/familypolicy/

Instructor's Manual

Miller, C. L. & Hough, T. (2024). Work-Based Learning Handbook for Family & Consumer Sciences. The Curriculum Center for Family & Consumer Sciences.

Peer-Reviewed Articles (Published, Accepted/In Press): Total = 33   

Hough, T., Jones, A., Alexander, K., Rogers, C., & Miller, C. (Accepted/in Press). Academic and career planning success: A study of social supports & barriers experienced by black women. Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education. https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/jarihe/

Miller, C. & Murimi, M. (2026). Teacher learning for competency-based curriculum implementation: A multi-domain professional development approach in a new Kenyan girls’ school. African Educational Research Journal, 14(2), 467-480. https://www.netjournals.org/aer_current.html

Molina. J., Alexander, K., Miller, C., Roberson, K., & Schmitt, M. (2026). Exploring perceptions of career growth and employability skills outcomes among career and technical education program graduates. Journal of Career and Technical Education, 41(1), 1-18. https://journalcte.org/articles/10.21061/jcte.523

Miller, C. L. (2026). Preparing tomorrow’s faculty for AI integration: Lessons from a graduate teaching course. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v26i1.40879

Hinson, J., & Miller, C. L. (2025). Family-centered mental health policies: Impacts & stakeholder perspectives. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal: Proceedings of the 2025 Texas Affiliate Annual Conference 12(1), 16-20. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Schmitt, M., Alexander, K., & Miller, C. L. (2025). Human-centered AI in family and consumer sciences. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal: Proceedings of the 2025 Texas Affiliate Annual Conference 12(1), 33-37. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Schmitt, M. D., & Miller, C. L. (2025). Integrating artificial intelligence in family and consumer sciences education. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 117(3) 14-19. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Muniz, Z., & Miller, C. L. (2025). Strengthening families: Reforming addiction policy for better support and recovery. Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, 18,(1),1-19. Kappa Omicron Nu—Human Sciences Honor Society.

Ciborowski, N. A., & Miller, C. L. (2025). Breaking the cycle: Reforming child support debt and employment barriers for incarcerated parents. Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, 18,(1), 1-17. Kappa Omicron Nu—Human Sciences Honor Society.

Clawson, S., Alexander, K. L. , Miller, C. L., & Roberson, K. (10%). (2025). Factors that motivate the interest of parents and unpaid caregivers in child passenger safety. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 11(1), 82-107. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate. (Named the Best Paper in the TAFCS Journal for 2026).

Houy, G. , Alexander, K., Miller, C. L., Roberson, K., & Tuliao, M. (2025). A deeper look at Adulting 101: Correlation of participant education level to self-confidence in life skills. International Journal for Professional Educators, 91(3), 33-43. Delta Kappa Gamma—International Society for Key Women Educators.

Wanago, N., Alexander, K., Miller, C., & Roberson, K. (2025). A critical science qualitative case study: historical insights and future directions. Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 53(3), 1-15. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Hough, T., Alexander, K., Rogers, C., & Miller, C. (2025). Career and education planning among young black women: Implications for FCS educators. Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 53(3), 1-14. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Miller, C. L., & Hough, T. (2024). Effectiveness of work-based learning training in secondary family & consumer sciences. In E. Fletcher Editor (Ed.), 2024 CTE Research & Development Conference: Conference Proceedings for Shaping CTE for the Next Generation Workforce (pp. 1-415). Association for Career and Technical Education Research. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e53f718f9becf12d06f6cff/t/68a500779a3c530b7326da99/1755644023983/24CTEPD-PROCEEDINGS.pdf

Houy, G., Alexander, K., Miller, C., Roberson, K., & Tuliao, M. (2024). Self-confidence of individuals in adult skills and the perceived student value of an adulting course in educational entities: a mixed-methods research design. In D. Pendergast (Ed.), InternationalJournal of Home Economics: Proceedings of the International Federation for Home Economics XXV World Congress 2024, 17(1), 163-176.

Miller, C. L.  (2024). Examining the quality of work-based learning experiences in the secondary FCS classroom. In Roberson, K. & Alexander, K. (Eds.), Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal: Proceedings of the 2024 Texas Affiliate Annual Conference, 11(1), 20-27. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences-Texas Affiliate.

Hinson, J., & Miller, C. (2024). Analysis of mental health policies: Impacts on families and stakeholder perspectives policy brief. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 11(1), 35-50. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Schmitt, M., Alexander, K., Miller, C.,Roberson, K. (10%), & Yuya, K. (10%) (2024). The effects of a digital wellness curriculum intervention in family and consumer sciences secondary classrooms. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 41(1), 33-48. LEAD FCS Education.

Wanago, N., Alexander, K., Miller, C., & Roberson, K. (2024). Critical science: a systematic literature review of empirical research (1979-2022). Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 52(4), 327-346. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. (Named the Best Paper in Family and Consumer Sciences Education for 2024).

Miller, C.L. & Hough, T. (2024). Effectiveness of work-based learning training in secondary family & consumer sciences. Family & Consumer SciencesResearch Journal, 52(4), 347-367. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Champagne, M., & Miller, C. (2023). Policy brief: The silent threat of reassigned FCS courses. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 10(1), 78-92. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Miller, C. L., Alexander, K. L., Roberson, K. L., Holland, A., Houy, G., Schmitt, M. D., & Tuliao, M. D. (2023). Creating a “Say Yes to FCS” teaching camp to address the critical FCS teacher shortage in a local community. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 115(4), 41-45. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences

Hill-Cloyd, J. C., & Miller, C. L. (2023). Between mandates and molding minds: The challenge of teacher autonomy today. Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, 16(1), 1-21. Kappa Omicron Nu—Human Sciences Honor Society.

Jones, A., Alexander, K. L., Lawson, C. R., Miller, C. L., & Roberson, K. (2023). High-impact practices and mentoring opportunities. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 10(1), 28-40. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Miller, C. (2023). Increasing undergraduates' social action in a family policy course through critical science-focused instructional strategies. International Journal for Professional Educators, 89(5), 35-48. Delta Kappa Gamma—International Society for Key Women Educators.

Houy, G., Alexander, K. L., Miller, C.,Roberson, K., Holland, A., & Schmitt, M.(2023). Using bibliotherapy to promote cultural competence in family and consumer sciences education. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 40(1), 35-45. LEAD FCS Education.

Miller, C., & Hough, T. (2023). Providing quality work-based learning training for secondary family & consumer sciences educators. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 115(1), 22-27. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences.

Alexander, K. L., & Miller, C. (2020). Contributions of family and consumer sciences education to career development and preparation and opportunities for future research: A review of literature. Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 7(1), 24-34. American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences—Texas Affiliate.

Houy, G., Alexander, K., Miller, C.,& Storms, K. (15%) (2020).  Adulting 101: Real skills for real life—a critical science-based course in the Texas Tech University Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program. International Journal for Professional Educators, 87(1). Delta Kappa Gamma—International Society for Key Women Educators.

Research Grants

Miller, C. L. (Lead Principal Investigator), Alexander, K. L. (Co-Principal Investigator), & Tuliao, M. (Co-Principal Investigator), “Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom/Bridging the Gap: Catalyzing Interest in FCS Education Among Underrepresented Students,” U.S. Department of Agriculture—National Institute of Food & Agriculture, Federal, $50,000.00. (September 2024 – December 2027).

Alexander, K. L. (Lead Principal Investigator), Miller, C. (Principal Investigator), & Houy, G. (Investigator), "Perkins Content Development," Sponsored by Resources for Learning, LLC as a subcontract to the Texas Education Agency, State of Texas Agency, $34,567.00 (September 2023 – August 2025).

Miller, C. L. (Principal Investigator), Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Mini-Grant, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Faculty for AI Integration—Lessons from a Graduate Teaching Course,” Texas Tech University Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center (TLPDC), $3,000.00. (June 2024).

Miller, C. L. (Principal Investigator), "Open Educational Resources Adoption Incentive Grant," Sponsored by Libraries, Texas Tech University, $5,000.00. (June 2023 - June 2024).

Alexander, K. L. (Principal Investigator), Graves, N. (Principal Investigator), Tripp, P. (Principal Investigator), Holland, A. (Investigator), Miller, C. (Investigator), Roberson, K. (Investigator), Moser, S. (Investigator), Borr, M. (Investigator), & Devlin, B. (Investigator), "Next Great IDEA Project 2022: FCS Extension Needs Assessment," Sponsored by Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), Other Nonprofit Org, $8,000.00. (September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023).

Borr, M. (Lead Principal Investigator), Roberson, K. (Principal Investigator), Alexander, K. L. (Principal Investigator), Devlin, B. (Principal Investigator), Graves, N. (Principal Investigator), Holland, A. (Principal Investigator), Miller, C. (Principal Investigator), Moser, S. (Principal Investigator), & Tripp, P. (Principal Investigator), "Great Plains FCSE Recruitment Grant 2021," Sponsored by Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), Other Nonprofit Org, $1,000.00.

Miller, C. L. (Principal Investigator), "Undergraduate Research Experience Grant," Sponsored by College of Human Sciences Research Office, Texas Tech University, $1,000.00. (February 2023 - August 31, 2023).

Miller, C. L. (Lead Principal Investigator), Roberson, K. (Principal Investigator), & Alexander, K. L. (Supporting), "Development of New Distance Program Proposal: Human Sciences Education and Training," Sponsored by Worldwide eLearning, Texas Tech University, $30,000.00. (March 2022 - August 2023).

Miller, C. (Lead Principal Investigator), Alexander, K. L. (Principal Investigator), Roberson, K. (Principal Investigator), Houy, G. (Supporting, Holland, A. (Supporting), Schmitt, M. (Supporting, & Tuliao, M. (Supporting), "Engaged Scholarship and Collaboration Seed Grant," Sponsored by the College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, $6,000.00. (April 2022 - December 2022).