AOD - Meet the Staff

Erik G. Miller, Director

Erik Miller began as Director of the Alcohol & Other Drug Office in 1996 following a year of research with numerous campus and community focus groups. The results of that research form the
basis of present day alcohol & other drug programming at Dakota State University.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, Erik went on to complete USD's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies program. He has nearly 20 years experience in the alcohol and other drug field, ranging from piloted statewide and regional community based prevention projects, to counseling and program development within regional chemical dependency treatment facilities.

Through this experience Erik gained insight into the critical ingredients that successful programs have in common. He also discovered that many traditional prevention approaches lacked the ability for sustained impact. So Erik began laying the groundwork for development of the B.A.S.I.C.S. (Building Assets & Skills In College Students) Model by adapting and applying key elements from promising approaches such as Search Institute's Developmental Asset Model to the higher education setting. Working closely with DSU's Director of Student Development Keith Bundy, B.A.S.I.C.S. currently forms the framework for all Alcohol & Other Drug and Student Development Office programming at DSU.

Erik Miller lives with his wife Kandi, son Austin (top right) and dogs Nikki (golden) and Molly (flat-coated -above right). In addition to his work within the alcohol and other drug field, Erik is active in the entertainment industry; from writing and performing music to concert production and promotion. In April 2007, Erik was elected as Mayor of Colton, SD and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnehaha Council on Economic Development Association.

In addition to their love for music, Erik & Kandi also share a passion for motorcycle touring (right) to remote locations, are diehard Chicago Bears fans, and serve various non-profit corporations in the area.

Cindy Petrone
Office Professional
Office: (605) 256-5121

Cindy Petrone joined the DSU family as an Office Professional in July 2000. Born and raised in Michigan, Cindy has lived in South Dakota for the past 9 years with her husband Tony.

Married for 23 years, Cindy loves pets and has a “too-smart” dog Mattie and three cats. Cindy and Tony have two children, a stepson, and two grandchildren living in Colorado. Cindy is a die-hard Denver Bronco’s fan and loves to watch TV Reality shows, read mystery novels and shop in her spare time (which isn't much). Husband Tony keeps the family busy most weekends as owner/operator of Music Man Entertainment, a Karaoke/DJ service.

Alcohol & Other Drug Office
Dakota State University
Trojan Center Underground
820 N Washington Ave.
Madison, SD 57042
(605) 256-5121

Erik G. Miller, Director
erik.miller@dsu.edu

Austin Miller

The Dogs - Nikki & Molly

Honda Valkyrie - the "Harley Killer"

Chicago Bears Official Website

Cindy Petrone
Office Professional
cindy.petrone@dsu.edu

Denver Broncos
Official Website