By Kennedy Grant

For almost four decades, the Miss UAB Scholarship Competition has given women at UAB the chance to meet educational goals through scholarship and personal development.  You may have heard about past winners, but have you met the current Miss UAB? 

Elizabeth Miller, winner of the Miss UAB 2022 Scholarship Competition is a native of Cullman, Alabama. She is a junior Marketing major at the Collat School of Business, concentrating on Marketing Management. 

Having competed in high school, Miller is no stronger to pageants or scholarship competitions. As a junior, she won First Alternate at the Fair Queen pageant. Miller also won First Alternate and an Academic Achievement Award at the Distinguished Young Women scholarship competition. As a senior, Miller competed in the Senior Miss Bronco Pageant, where she received First Alternate and Miss Congeniality. 

As in previous competitions, Miller was attracted to the Miss UAB Scholarship Competition by the possibility of receiving scholarships. Miller expressed, "Whenever I saw all of the scholarship opportunities that I could get from the Miss UAB program… I knew it was something I had to do." 

After being crowned Miss UAB, Miller hit the ground running with her various philanthropic and academic goals. She has been able to speak with students at her former elementary school, read to students for Read Across America, and spread awareness on her social platform, Hearts for Hunger. As an avid volunteer at Blazer Kitchen, Miller was delighted to honor Hearts for Hunger in her social impact statement phase of the competition. 

Through Hearts for Hunger, she has been able to "raise an awareness on campus about food insecurity and help challenge others to join on the fight (against) food insecurity." Miller makes a point to spread awareness as she recognizes that many of our fellow students are food insecure. She does this through Instagram by showcasing Blazer Kitchen, food and supply drives, and simple meal ideas for students. Miller credits Blazer Kitchen as a "phenomenal resource here on campus that any student can come to." Through the program, UAB students have access to free food, school supplies, and hygiene products.

Students interested in joining the fight against food insecurity are encouraged to join Miller during BlazeHer Week from March 28 to April 1. The BlazeHer initiative is designed to celebrate Women's History Month and includes a care packaging event, food and hygiene drive, and other women-focused activities. Miller values honoring women as much of her support system consists of women.

A few of the women in Miller’s life that have inspired her work include her mother and grandmothers. "My mom has been my go-to in my everyday life…her wisdom, guidance, and support have really just led me to where I am today." She continued, "My grandmothers also play a really big role in my life. They show me what it means to love well and to be generous with your time and money." 

To stay up to date on all things Miss UAB and her journey to Miss Alabama, follow her on Instagram @missuab or visit uab.edu/missuab.