Class of 2024: Halle Miller

UA graduate, a first-generation college student, excelled in the classroom, community and business world

Halle Miller will be the student speaker at the Spring 2024 College of Business Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 5 p.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Sales Management. After graduation, Halle will start a marketing analyst position with the J.M. Smucker Company and will begin graduate school in UA’s College of Business.

Q: In which campus activities have you been involved?

A: I represented the College of Business’ Fisher Sales Institute at the National Shore Sales Challenge as a role-play competitor. I also assisted in developing a digital marketing strategy for the Taylor Institute. This role has allowed me to be a student representative to the external community and The University of Akron. I have also served as a featured content writer to promote the Executive Education Program at The University of Akron. This visibility has been instrumental in the college’s recruiting efforts, as I seek to inspire high school students to visit the college.

Q: How did you get involved with the community off campus?

A: During my junior year, I interned with Xcess Limited, Amazon’s largest liquidation company, which is headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, and owned by a University of Akron alumnus. In this role, I was given the opportunity to facilitate a $50,000 charitable donation drive for local non-profits, grow their social media following and collaborate in business development by creating a PowerPoint presentation that led to obtaining new distribution centers.

My senior year included a year-long internship at the J.M. Smucker Company, where I interned in Category Leadership for the Dog Snacks segment at Walmart. It has been fascinating to travel to Walmart’s headquarters of Bentonville, Ark., twice to participate in buyer meetings. I have been the face of the college’s internship program partnership between The University of Akron and the J.M. Smucker Company. I was nominated as the Intern of the Year and I nominated the winning Manager of the Year with the Institute for Leadership. My role with Smucker’s has also included serving as a national spokesperson for Smucker’s in publicity to all college students in the United States.

I was excited to be a mentee in the American Marketing Association First-Generation Mentorship Program for the last four years. It is great to have the guidance of an established industry professional as I navigate my collegiate journey and begin my career. I was also a featured content writer on the Speaking Human Blog and presented to the University of Akron Marketing Advisory Board. I have been a tutor to many of my peers throughout my time at Akron.

Throughout my college years, I have contributed more than 500 hours of community service, including participation in many charitable activities with organizations such as the Ohio Farm Bureau, American Red Cross, Akron Children’s Hospital Berry Good Reading Program, Akron-Canton Foodbank, Apostolic Christian Village, Wayne County 4-H, Ohio FFA (Future Farmers of America), Norwayne FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America), Golden Giving Benefit, Harvest Call, Junior Achievement and many more. I chaired the Moovin’ on the County Line Trail 5K and 10K, which raised over $18,000 to combat childhood obesity and benefited Wayne County Rails-to-Trails.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: I was excited to be recognized as the Department of Marketing Student of the Year. I am also graduating Summa Cum Laude after maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout my entire college career and earning spots on the President’s List all semesters.

Over the course of my education, I have received 10 merit-based scholarships from The University of Akron, which have had a big impact on my education. I also received the College of Business EDGE Honors by participating in professional development activities, speaking events and networking opportunities.

I placed in the top 10 at the National Shore Sales Challenge and my team took first place in the challenge. I also received distinction as a RNMKRS Raising Star in the national Professional Selling SpeedSell Competition. I was part of the Integrated Marketing Communications winning team (served as team captain) for the client project for 365 Holdings.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation I will continue working for the J.M. Smucker Company in Brand Management as a marketing analyst. I will also begin pursuing my Master of Business Administration at The University of Akron in fall 2024.

Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?

A: I was excited to compete on the Fisher Sales Spring Competition team traveling to Salisbury, Md., for the National Shore Sales Challenge which was sponsored by Perdue Chicken. The University of Akron placed first at this event and I was in the top 10 of all the competitors from more than 40 universities. It was neat to spend time with Jim Perdue and his family at their home during the course of the weekend and put my sales skills to the test.

Q: What unique things should we know about you?

A: I am a first-generation college graduate which makes my bachelor’s degree very special to my family and me.

I come from a community with more cows than people and grew up very involved in 4-H and FFA. A highlight of my FFA career was being named the national winner at the National FFA Convention for the Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency area with my Bordoodle (a border collie and poodle cross) dog breeding business. This is a bit ironic considering I had a severe phobia of dogs as a child. With the addition of a business degree from The University of Akron, I’ve landed a full-time role with a Fortune 500 company that will allow me to merge my agricultural roots and passion for the pet industry with my professional endeavors.