Volunteer Spotlight
Giovanna Miller P’25
When Giovanna Miller P’25 stepped down as board chair of the American Red Cross Metro New York North chapter, she thought her days of nonprofit leadership were behind her. But that changed during her son’s first year at Trinity, when a Homecoming tailgate hosted by the Parents Leadership Council (PLC) sparked a desire to get involved.
“It wasn’t just about writing a check and attending a meeting,” she says. “It was taking a deep dive into the College.”
By January 2022, Miller was asked to chair the PLC. Before saying yes, she checked in with her son, Michael Miller ’25.
“Are you okay if you see me on campus a bit more than other parents?” she asked.
“Mom,” he replied, “that’s right up your alley.”
Miller led the PLC until May 2025, stepping down after her son’s graduation. With her philanthropic background and natural ability to connect, she quickly became a cornerstone of parent engagement. She ran biannual meetings, hosted off-campus receptions, and played a key role in fundraising.
“As chair, you try to interact as much as possible with parents,” she says. “It’s a little different dealing with parent-to-parent as opposed to parent-to-staff. They ask me questions they wouldn’t normally ask someone in Advancement. That’s why I think it’s important for parents to get involved at a leadership level.”
She also valued the insight the role gave her. “Being part of the PLC gave me a great opportunity to listen to faculty and staff and learn about all the programs available to students,” she says.
One of those programs was the Career and Life Design Center, which helped Michael prepare for a career in finance through résumé support and mock interviews. But it wasn’t just Trinity’s career prep that impressed Miller—it was the breadth of her son’s personal and academic growth.
During a semester in Rome, Michael became fascinated by art and architecture. When she went to visit him, Miller couldn’t believe her ears when he said he was taking art history courses and planned to double major in Italian along with economics.
“I know Trinity is a liberal arts school, but I never thought of him as a liberal arts person,” she says. “But he actually is. Trinity expanded his horizons tremendously, and I really appreciate that.”
The Millers have been all in on Trinity since Michael’s first year, when he walked onto the squash team. When the opportunity arose to support the athletics program by donating a new squash court, the family didn’t hesitate.
“Giovanna has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to Trinity, our students, and to the parent community through her thoughtful leadership and exceptional philanthropy,” says Kerry Smith, executive director of alumni, family, and Reunion giving.
As PLC chair, Miller always aimed to lead by example. She gave early and often to Trinity’s fundraising efforts and encouraged other families to take the long view.
“Tuition doesn’t cover all the costs for a student,” she explains. “There’s always a gap. Plus, you want the future of the College to keep up with the times. And you want to leave a legacy for your student as well.”
That legacy is already in place—not only in bricks and mortar but also in their family’s lasting connection with Trinity. Even after Michael’s graduation, Miller says, her bond with the College will endure.
“I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the last four years watching my kid flourish,” she says. “Watching him have that pep in his step from the time he was a [first-year] to developing into this fine young man has been such a joy. I will always stay connected to the school. I can’t imagine life without some kind of Trinity influence.”
By Eliott Grover
Illustration by Kathryn Rathke
