5Q with Jennifer Miller of Professional & Continuing Education
By Amy Geduldig
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 27, 2026) — Jennifer Miller joined the University at Albany last summer as executive director of Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), where she leads the development of high-quality, career-focused learning opportunities for working professionals, organizations and lifelong learners.
Since joining UAlbany, she has been guiding the expansion of innovative, market-driven programs that respond to workforce needs and support adult learners across the Capital Region and New York State. PaCE launched a new partnership with Broadview Federal Credit Union in September and will sponsor the Albany Business Review’s State of the Region event this month.
A UAlbany alum, Miller brings extensive experience in workforce development, higher education and economic development to PaCE. Before joining UAlbany, she served as assistant vice chancellor for community college support for SUNY and as executive director of the New York Success Center, where she led major statewide initiatives focused on workforce development, adult learners, enrollment strategy and curriculum reform. She has also held leadership roles at Cornell University, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, the Center for Economic Growth and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District.
We spoke with Miller about PaCE’s growing role in the Capital Region and how the program supports the community, local businesses and employees.
How can UAlbany deliver professional and continuing education to the region?
As a public research university with nine schools and colleges, UAlbany brings deep academic expertise to professional and continuing education, offering students from all walks of life the opportunity to unleash their greatness. With advances in technology, the University is able to offer shorter-term noncredit and credit microcredential programs that provide students and working professionals with targeted, in-demand skills.
PaCE’s noncredit programs offer short-term, intensive learning opportunities focused on skills development and are open to learners at all stages of their careers.
Students who are currently pursuing a degree can also take advantage of PaCE’s credit microcredential programs, which are designed to support progress toward a degree. Many of these programs are fully online and stack directly into certificates and degree programs.
How does PaCE support the Capital Region’s workforce and organizations?
UAlbany’s Professional and Continuing Education plays an important role in offering cost-effective professional training and microcredential programs that support the Capital Region’s workforce in high-demand skills like leadership, communication and AI to name a few.
Our programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals and UAlbany alumni in the Capital Region and New York State. The opportunities available at PaCE benefit learners with different backgrounds as we continue to develop new programs offered both on campus and online. Initially, we are launching professional and career-focused programs for current students and working professionals with plans to expand courses that support personal enrichment and lifelong learning.
PaCE also offers programs that support the nonprofit community and public sector. In partnership with Rockefeller College, PaCE has relaunched the Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator (ENLA), supported by the Community Foundation, and launched a new Political Campaign Academy focused on preparing public leaders to run successful political campaigns for themselves or other candidates.
What role do partnerships play in shaping professional learning at UAlbany?
Partnerships with local industry, companies and organizations reinforce the direction we’re moving in: building programs in close collaboration with community and regional leaders to offer resources that support real workforce needs including programs focused on building employee professional skills like business writing, communication and leadership.
PaCE’s recent partnership with Broadview allows us to work closely with the business community to pilot educational programs that support upskilling and organizational growth. Sponsoring events like State of the Region also puts PaCE in conversation with employers and civic leaders about where the Capital Region is headed — and how higher education can actively support that future.
For me, the vision is for PaCE to serve as a connector: bringing together UAlbany’s academic expertise, industry insight and community priorities to create accessible learning opportunities that have immediate and lasting impact.
What are some of PaCE’s priorities for the year ahead?
We are in the process of launching professional development and microcredential classes – offered on-site, virtually or in hybrid formats – for working professionals in areas such as technology; business and leadership; nonprofit management; cybersecurity and digital forensics; public policy and government innovation; and homeland security and emergency preparedness.
We are also focused on supporting Capital Region employers with executive education on skill-based training for their employees. Technology is rapidly changing the working world, which makes it an exciting time to develop short-term programs for working professionals, particularly our own UAlbany alumni. And as an alumna myself, I look forward to supporting other Great Danes in continuing their education and professional growth with UAlbany even after they complete their degrees.
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing around the Capital Region?
When I’m not at work, I love to go hiking or paddle in some of the great parks and lakes in the region like Grafton Lakes State Park, Saratoga National Historical Park and the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center to name just a few. Getting outside is my way of recharging and this area has some of the most beautiful places to experience nature.