Washington University PACS Program Coordinator Rene’ Miller reflects on her 26-year career at WashU, shares her love for soccer, and plans to tackle her bucket list.
What is your current title, and how long have you been with WashU and what did you do before that?
My current title is Program Coordinator I. I have been around for over 26 years, with 21 of those years with PACS at WashU. Before that, I worked at Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) for approximately 5 ½ years. Initially, I was a Facilities Coordinator, then I transitioned to Information Systems Coordinator and finally I moved to the Professional Education department with Dr. William Clark and Beth Elliott. In 2003, PACS officially transferred to WashU and the rest is history!
What do you like most about your work here?
I absolutely love what I do and enjoy working with the amazing people on our PACS team. They make coming to work each day so much fun and effortless. We truly make a fantastic team and complement each other perfectly. Most of us have been working together since our CID days, and they have come to be like my second family.
I have a variety of responsibilities in the department. One of my favorite and most fulfilling roles is working directly with our students. I enjoy being part of their academic journey and professional development, from when they are students to when they become alumni.
How would you describe life in the Miller household?
Life in the Miller household is pretty busy with our shared passion for soccer and our commitments to family. Our daughter Ava dedicated most of her time to club soccer for most of her young life, but now her time is spent navigating and adjusting to college life. My husband Brad has been coaching club soccer for over 11 years and continues to do so. Our schedule often involves attending and actively participating in various soccer events and spending quality time with family, and now that Ava is a freshman at Saint Louis University, we also make it a point to attend events (especially soccer) there.
Do you have a favorite activity or pastime?
I enjoy a variety of activities and pastimes. Apart from being a dedicated soccer mom and my husband’s and our daughter’s biggest fan, I also find joy in crafting, baking, and my newest passion – canning (such as making jams, sauces, jellies, and apple butter). I find these activities to be quite therapeutic. I wish I had more time to do them. Another favorite pastime of mine is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dogtown, where we live. This holiday is very special to us, especially to my husband, who grew up there. Only the residents of Dogtown truly understand the unique feeling of this day. Additionally, we love to visit St. Augustine every summer to spend time with family. It’s a beautiful place with a rich history, and I always learn something new every time we visit.
Is there a special something at the top of your bucket list, and why?
At the top of my bucket list is traveling overseas, with Spain being the first place I’d love to visit. My grandfather came from a small town near Barcelona, and my great-great-great-grandfather was the Mayor of Madrid. I’m eager to explore Spain and delve into my family history. Our daughter is a freshman in the SLU Nursing Program and plans to spend a semester abroad at SLU’s campus in Madrid next year, so hopefully, this will be marked off my list soon.