The purpose of the How Did We Get Here? project is to connect the next generation of community studies and community health work leaders to some of the existing leaders in our community. Students are encouraged to read the profiles and then click on the video conversations between these amazing professionals and myself. As you listen, I hope you start to see yourself in their journey and know you have the same potential to rise to greatness in our community!

 

I utilized the same basic questions in each interview:

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• What do you do? How do you see yourself in the community?

• What led you into the work?

• What training or education is necessary to do this type of what, and what obstacles should students or future change makers be aware of heading into this work?

• Have you ever felt like you didn't belong?

• What kind of ethic is needed in this work?

• How do you sustain yourself?

• Do you have a word/mantra/symbol that you believe could have helped you earlier in your journey?

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About the Author:

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Nicholas Miller has served as full-time faculty in the sociology department at Sacramento City College since 2004. He served as the sociology department chair from 2015-20, and he served as SCC's chair of the Department Chairs Council from 2017-19.

Nicholas co-founded and co-coordinates SCC's Re-Emerging Scholars program for formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted students and families which includes holistic wrap-around services and a cohort-based academic learning community.

In addition to teaching a variety of sociology courses at SCC, Nicholas coordinates the Community Studies program at SCC that serves as a pipeline into employment opportunities and/or four-year transfer institutions in the fields of community development and social work. Also, in partnership with the Allied Health department, he developed and currently supports the coordination of the Community Health Worker program in its collaboration with multiple community organizations to provide education and job placement in community health professions throughout the Sacramento region.

Nicholas is a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum's Mountain-Valley Chapter. He is the lead organizer of the Racial Equity and Inclusion Affinity Group to educate, coordinate, and leverage diversity, equity, and inclusion work among leaders in the Sacramento region. He is also serves as one of the chapter's DEI and IB trainers to encourage deep reflection and institutional change to address inequities.

Nicholas currently supports the development of equity focused initiatives and partnerships throughout the Sacramento region.

 

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