Historically, Samuel Miller was keenly aware of the value of education, conceptualizing a school in which students were given a standard academic education along with training in useful arts and trade. Through Miller’s philanthropy and the stewardship of the school’s first superintendent, Charles E. Vawter, students were taught not only by being shown, but by doing work with their own hands. The philosophy of “mind, hands, and heart” is displayed throughout the curriculum and physical campus, remaining a guiding principle of the school well into the twenty-first century.

To further the original mission of Miller, the Student Success Center (SSC) was conceptualized in 2019 with important input from subject matter staff experts, resourced and immediately formed and staffed to ensure that students are provided the resources, advising, and support to maximize their potential—both inside and outside the classroom. The Student Success Center facilitates academic support for students through individualized academic advising, peer-tutoring, college counseling, and student success planning.

The SSC provides personalized guidance for students pursuing internships, mentorships, independent studies, service opportunities, and distance-learning. In addition, SSC staff help students discover new opportunities to pursue their interests through extracurricular and summer enrichment programs. Head of School, Michael Drude, commented: “It is our intention that by creating this Success Center, Miller fully embraces a student’s journey during their time at Miller. We say we ‘meet students where they are’ and want to ensure that each individual’s journey here at Miller produces their desired outcomes.”

With the creation of the Student Success Center, MSA takes advantage of the uniquely intimate setting of an independent school and nourishes the social-emotional health of its students, not just their academic development. The SSC gives MSA the opportunity to leverage its existing programs, building upon past accomplishments and the intended Mission of Samuel Miller to bring its students closer to achieving success in their life-long goals.

Learning is at the heart of every great school and the Learning Commons, Student Success Center, and Library lie at the center of Old Main. It is here that great learning, collaborative and independent study, relationship building, and character development all take place. In this active space, students interact with friends, meet teachers for extra help, work with our professionals from the Success Center, or simply sit quietly and study. The innovative creation of the SSC continues 146 years of active learning and educational efforts to serve the minds, hands, and hearts of every student as our founder intended.

Dettey Audette is the Director of the Student Success Center. She oversees the day-to-day operation of the Center and its services that include specialized learning and teaching support for all students and faculty. In addition, she partners with the Admissions team, College Counselor, Director of Faculty, School Counselor, faculty, students, and parents to develop and oversee individualized success plans to meet student post-secondary goals.

Maggie Harris is the Director of Academic Advising and Student Support. She oversees the academic support services and works directly with students who have learning style differences, liaising with their families and teachers to provide academic support. In addition, she evaluates student transcripts and coordinates the academic advising process.

Sarah Kent is the SSC Enrichment Specialist. She oversees internships, teaching assistants, and independent study work. She is the primary liaison between the SSC and College Counseling Office and coordinating summer enrichment opportunities.

Anne Thomas is our Learning Specialist. She teaches study skills classes, providing individualized academic support to students while developing learning strategies tailored to each student's particular learning style.

Christine Zito is our Student Support Specialist. Review educational testing reports and summarize recommended accommodations for each student in the Learning Strategies document. Keep records updated and accurate and solicit feedback from teachers working directly with these students.

Dettey Audette
Director of the Student Success Center
✉︎ aaudette@millerschool.org