Miller Embarks on Military Path
Courtesy UM University Communications
University of Miami School of Architecture student Lucy Miller has been officially sworn into the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps through its Naval Architecture Program, committing to military service while completing the final year of her Bachelor of Architecture degree.
Originally from Cincinnati, Miller is in her fifth year at the University of Miami. Her decision to join the Navy reflects a long-standing desire to serve and a passion for design rooted in public service.
“I’ve always wanted to use architecture as a way to give back,” Miller said. “The military has given so much to my family and this is my way of contributing something meaningful in return.”
Miller grew up in a service-oriented family. Her father, Dr. Sean Miller, served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division during Desert Storm before entering the medical field. Her sister is currently enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy and is expected to graduate in 2027.
It was a former high school water polo coach Frank Guzman, now an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard, who first introduced Miller to the idea that architecture could intersect with military service. That early conversation planted the seed. Later, mentor and architecture professor Steven Brooke helped her develop her professional voice, encouraging her to find her “why” within the discipline.
While pursuing architecture, Miller was also a Division I athlete. She swam for the Hurricanes for three seasons, competing at the ACC Championships each year and at the 2024 TYR Pro Swim Series in San Antonio. Her experience balancing the demands of architecture and Division I swimming instilled a strong sense of commitment and endurance that she now brings to her path in the Navy.
The Navy’s Naval Architecture Program supports students financially during their final one to two years of study, offering a monthly wage in exchange for a commitment to military service after graduation. Miller will serve four years of active duty followed by four years in the Navy Reserve. After graduating with her Bachelor of Architecture, she will complete 13 weeks of officer training and a semester-long civil engineering course in Southern California before receiving her first duty assignment.
Her role in the Civil Engineer Corps will involve designing and overseeing the construction of shore-based facilities that support naval operations around the world. Assignments rotate every two to three years based on project needs.
This summer, she is interning at Merrick & Co., a firm known for high-performance facilities and government architectural contracts. The experience will prepare her for the scale and complexity of Navy projects by offering insight into how private-sector design supports public infrastructure.
“Naval architecture is a niche field and not many people know about it, especially within architecture,” Miller said. “But there’s a real need for students with design backgrounds to join. I’m proud to be stepping into that space.”
For Miller, military service is more than a job it’s an extension of the discipline and purpose that have guided her through five years of studio and a lifetime of competitive sports.
This next step isn’t just a career, it’s a calling.
