Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr., a career politician currently serving as a semi-retired consultant, graduated from USF’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1978 with a degree in political science, leaving behind a historical legacy. Miller’s career trajectory illustrates his lifetime dedication as a public servant, having served on Tampa’s City Council, as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, as a member of the Florida Senate and as Hillsborough County Commissioner. He credits USF in preparing him for life as a civil servant.
The path toward earning his degree wasn’t a straight shot, however. Miller’s success story was almost cut short when, shortly after enrolling at USF in 1970, he joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
When he returned to campus four years later, he struggled to find his footing.
“There weren’t many African American students at USF,” said Miller, who considered returning to the Air Force. “I would walk into a classroom with 200 students, and I would be the only Black kid in the class.”
One of Miller’s political science professors, Arthur Levy, encouraged Miller to visit career counselor Juel Smith. With her support, Miller developed better study habits that helped him manage his test anxiety.
“I observed him achieving academic success and demonstrating leadership qualities on and beyond campus in important local and state political roles,” said Smith, who went on to found the Institute on Black Life, the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy program and the Center for Africa and the Diaspora. “I am so proud of him, and pleased that I may have played a small part in his incessant desire to serve the needs of others.”
Despite these obstacles, Miller went on to become the first Black person to serve as Student Government President at USF in 1977. During his service, the student body government was able to accomplish some amazing things, including getting the Sun Dome (now the Yuengling Center).
It was Miller’s father who inspired Miller to pursue political science at USF.
“My dad was a union man. He worked in the phosphate plant out on Highway 60. I don’t know if he was even able to vote back then, but they were always involved in politics and trying to get the right person elected to support unions,” he said. “I would always go out with him while he was campaigning. I’ll never forget when they were campaigning for John F. Kennedy, and I guess it just got in my blood that politics is the way I could give back to the community.”
Miller’s desire to listen to and serve the needs of others drove him to make a lasting impact beyond graduation. In 2020, when he retired as county commissioner, Hillsborough County renamed a local park after him, recognizing the lifetime of service he gave “to make Hillsborough County a better place to live, work and play.”
Miller credits his time at USF with preparing him for success.
“I’m glad I decided to study political science,” said Miller. "There were courses I had to take that I eventually utilized, like constitutional law and Robert’s Rules of Order. Both of those came into play when I was elected to office, so it all came around. It all made sense after I graduated.”