Administration

Office of Physical Plant names Mark Miller new assistant vice president

Mark Miller has been named assistant vice president for Physical Plant, effective June 17. Miller comes to Penn State from the University of Nebraska, where he served as associate vice president for facilities management. Credit: Courtesy Mark MillerAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mark Miller, associate vice president for facilities management at the University of Nebraska and a retired U.S. Air Force officer, has been named the new assistant vice president for Physical Plant at Penn State, and will begin his appointment on June 17.

Miller succeeds Steve Maruszewski, who retired in January after nearly 25 years at Penn State.

“I am excited to welcome Mark as the new assistant vice president for Physical Plant,” said Bill Sitzabee, associate vice president for the Office of Physical Plant. “His leadership experience and depth of knowledge in facilities and higher education will help advance the mission of the Physical Plant in this impactful role. I am looking forward to partnering with Mark to continue to provide excellent facility services for Penn State.”

Miller will serve as a deputy for the Office of Physical Plant.

“I am deeply honored and excited for this opportunity to join the Penn State community and the facilities team,” Miller said. “OPP has a well-earned reputation of professionalism and world-class service to the University community. I look forward to providing service excellence in support of Penn State’s teaching, research and engagement mission.”

Miller was selected in September 2017 by the president of the University of Nebraska and approved by the school’s Board of Regents to serve as the first associate vice president for facilities management in the University of Nebraska system. At Nebraska, Miller managed the university’s 23 million-square-foot, $4.33 billion physical plant, with campuses in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha, as well as Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and six research and extension centers. In a dual appointment, Miller also served as the assistant vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a total construction portfolio of more than $700 million.  

Prior to his appointment at the University of Nebraska, Miller served over the course of 24 years as both an Air Force civil engineer officer, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel, and an Air Force civilian. He served as a civil engineer squadron commander both at home in the U.S. and while deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Miller also served as the chief of programs for Headquarters Air Force Space Command, where he was responsible for project planning and program validation, asset management, capital investment policy, and guidance for nine major Air Force installations, launch ranges at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and 87 sites worldwide. For his service, Miller was awarded various service and campaign medals, including a Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, and he was nominated as the Air Force Space Command Field Grade Officer of the Year. 

Miller is a registered professional engineer, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and architectural engineering from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also is a graduate of the U.S Air Force Air University Squadron Officers School and Air Command and Staff College. 

Last Updated June 18, 2021