Michelle Miller-Day

Dr. Michelle Miller-Day is a Professor of Communication Studies at Chapman University in Orange, California, where she serves as Director of the Health and Strategic Communication Program and Graduate Director. Her work bridges interpersonal and family communication with health communication, focusing on mental health, submissive communication, and substance use prevention.

Dr. Miller-Day holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University, a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California.

Her research centers on mother-daughter communication, drug prevention, family communication, narratives in health, and translational research. Dr. Miller-Day co-developed one of the most successful evidence-based substance use prevention programs in the United States, reaching over two million youth worldwide. She has served as Principal Investigator and Co-PI on numerous research grants investigating health-communication intersections and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, books, and chapters.

Analysis of Dr. Miller-Day's recent publications reveals a strong focus on narrative approaches to health communication across multiple domains. Her work demonstrates consistent application of narrative engagement theory to develop effective interventions for HPV vaccination, substance use prevention, and family communication. The research shows increasing interdisciplinary collaboration and expansion into digital and performance-based communication methods.

Dr. Miller-Day has received significant recognition for her work in developing the "keepin' it REAL" substance use prevention program, which has been implemented across the United States. Her research has been funded by organizations including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As a mentor, Dr. Miller-Day has advised numerous graduate students and collaborated with interdisciplinary research teams. She has led significant grant-funded projects focused on HPV vaccine narratives, substance use prevention, and family communication interventions. Her work demonstrates strong translational impact, moving research findings into practical applications that improve health outcomes.

Dr. Miller-Day is actively involved in several research initiatives, including the "Hello Mother, Hello Daughter" podcast series, which explores mother-daughter relationships through conversations with experts. She also continues to develop narrative-based health interventions through her work with REAL Prevention LLC.