Essye B. Miller

Essye B. Miller, M.A. ’85, DHL ’21, is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Talladega College. She is a nationally respected technology and cybersecurity executive, corporate board leader, and distinguished alumna of Talladega College. She retired after a remarkable 35-year career as a member of the United States Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, where she served in some of the nation’s most influential information technology and cybersecurity leadership positions.

Ms. Miller served as Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of Defense. In this role, she assisted the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on information management, information technology, cybersecurity, information assurance, non-intelligence space systems, satellite communications, navigation and timing programs, spectrum management, and telecommunications. She also served as the Acting Chief Information Officer for the Department of Defense during critical periods of national leadership.

Earlier in her distinguished federal career, Ms. Miller served as the Department’s Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity. She led enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy and was responsible for ensuring that the Department maintained a comprehensive cybersecurity program while coordinating cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures across federal agencies, military partners, and private industry. Throughout her career, she also held numerous senior leadership positions within both the United States Air Force and the United States Army.

In recognition of her extraordinary leadership and sustained public service, Ms. Miller received the Presidential Rank Award in 2018, one of the highest honors bestowed upon members of the Senior Executive Service for exceptional performance and leadership.

Following her retirement from federal service, Ms. Miller has continued to shape the future of technology and cybersecurity through corporate governance and strategic advisory roles. She has served as a trusted advisor to leading Fortune 500 companies including Dell Technologies, T Mobile, Trellix, and Leidos. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Corporate Office Properties Trust, a New York Stock Exchange listed real estate investment trust, along with several privately held technology and cybersecurity companies. She also serves as a Strategic Advisor to Government Executives, providing executive guidance to senior federal leaders navigating complex technology and national security challenges.

A passionate advocate for education and workforce development, Ms. Miller has played a transformative role in advancing cybersecurity education at Talladega College. Through her leadership, personal philanthropy, and efforts to secure a one-million dollar gift from the Scripps Family Foundation, she helped establish and strengthen the College’s Cybersecurity Center and supported its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Her vision has expanded opportunities for students to pursue high demand careers while positioning Talladega College as a leader in technology education among historically Black colleges and universities.

Ms. Miller frequently emphasizes the importance of combining technical expertise with the critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills fostered through a liberal arts education. She credits Talladega College with providing the academic foundation that prepared her for success at the highest levels of government, industry, and public service.

As Vice Chair of the Talladega College Board of Trustees, Ms. Miller remains deeply committed to advancing the College’s mission through strategic leadership, innovation, and philanthropy. She continues to champion initiatives that prepare future generations of students to lead in cybersecurity, technology, and other emerging fields while strengthening Talladega College’s legacy of academic excellence and transformational impact.

Ms. Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College, a Master of Arts degree from Troy State University, and a Master of Arts degree from Air University. In recognition of her extraordinary professional achievements, distinguished public service, and enduring commitment to her alma mater, Talladega College awarded her the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2021.

• Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of Defense. She advised the Secretary of Defense on information technology, cybersecurity, satellite communications, navigation and timing, spectrum, and telecommunications, and served as Acting Chief Information Officer during critical periods of national leadership.
• Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity. She led enterprise cybersecurity strategy across federal agencies, military partners, and private industry, and held senior leadership posts in the United States Air Force and the United States Army during a 35-year Senior Executive Service career.
• Received the Presidential Rank Award in 2018. The award is one of the highest honors given to members of the Senior Executive Service.
• Advises industry and serves on corporate boards. She has advised Dell Technologies, T Mobile, Trellix, and Leidos, serves on the Board of Directors of Corporate Office Properties Trust, and is a Strategic Advisor to Government Executives.
• Vice Chair of the Talladega College Board of Trustees. She helped establish the College’s Cybersecurity Center, including a one-million dollar Scripps Family Foundation gift, and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2021. She holds a B.A. from Talladega and master’s degrees from Troy State University and Air University.