Page 10 - Talladegan SP 4 Flipbook
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A TALLADEGAN IN THE PENTAGON
How Talladega College prepared her to excel far beyond her dreams
In a field noted for its shortage of both female and the classroom. Of course, the curriculum set me on
African-American practitioners, Ms. Essye B. Miller a professional course I never
‘85 has blazed a vibrant trail. She is a member of imagined. But, we were
the government’s elite Senior Executive Service and taught so much…
currently serves as the Principal Deputy, Department the importance
of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO). of performance,
She assists the DoD CIO as the primary advisor to the credibility and
Secretary of Defense for Information Management/ relationships;
Information Technology (IT) and Information how to prepare
Assurance, as well as non-intelligence space systems; for interviews,
critical satellite communications, navigation, and how to dress
timing programs; spectrum; and telecommunications. professionally;
Early in her illustrious career, while employed as an public speaking, goal
Information Technology Specialist at Gunter Air Force setting. The list goes
Base in Montgomery, Alabama, Ms. Miller was told, on,” states Ms. Miller, who
“People need to see you.” At that moment, she began was initiated into the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Delta
to realize how much her life could inspire, motivate Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Talladega in
and uplift others. As she advanced to higher-ranking 1982.
positions, including Deputy Chief Information Officer “I was fairly quiet as a student, but was never
(DCIO) for Cybersecurity and the Department’s devalued or felt like I wasn’t heard. I found a level of
Senior Information Security Officer (SISO) and confidence in being thoughtful and deliberate and that
Acting Defense Chief Information Officer, she never has helped me throughout my career. I left Talladega
forgot the importance of sharing her life story. with insight I didn’t know I had. I often reflect with
Today, Ms. Miller is ranked among the world’s friends about the wisdom and life lessons some of the
top women in technology. She is the embodiment of professors imparted during our time there.”
the American dream. And she is a proud Talladegan. Ms. Miller believes that seizing the right
Recently, she spoke with The New Talladegan about opportunities at the right time, and being prepared
her family, her student days, the factors that propelled for these opportunities when they came, helped
her to success, and the impact she hopes to have. her to excel. Being prepared included securing
“My mother was a school teacher and my father the education she needed to help her advance at
worked in the steel mill. They wanted their kids to do each stage of her career. In addition to earning her
well. Whatever that looked like was up to us. They bachelor’s at Talladega, she secured a Master of
wanted us to do our best and make sure we treated Business Administration from Troy State University
people well while doing it,” she notes. and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air University
As a student, Ms. Miller was dedicated to her in Montgomery, Alabama. She is also a graduate
studies and desired to excel. However, neither she of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in
nor her parents ever imagined that she would reach National and International Security Studies, and
the heights she has reached. She remembers the she is Acquisition Level III certified in Information
shock and pride on her father’s face the first time he Technology.
accompanied her on a speaking engagement. As she approaches her 35th year with the
“I’ve done so much more than I imagined for government, her gaze is on the next generation.
myself,” she admits, crediting her success to a Success has given her unique privileges and
culmination of factors, including her beloved alma experiences but, she says, “The professional travel,
mater. awards and recognitions pale in comparison to the
“I received a foundation (at Talladega) that I took opportunities to share my story and shape the next
for granted for years. Learning was not confined to generation of leaders.”
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