Samantha N. Milteer, the daughter of the late Maurice Milteer and Betty J. Milteer, earned her doctoral degree in education from Virginia State University’s College of Education on May 2.

Her study was titled “Parental Engagement: A Qualitative Study of Key Components to Engage Middle School Families in a Central Virginia Rural School.”

Her supporters throughout the dissertation process included First Baptist Church Mahan Street, Mount Gilead Full Gospel International, Virginia State University, Dinwiddie Public Schools, United Methodist Family Services and Prince George Department of Social Services.

Dr. Milteer’s passions include educational leadership, family engagement, adolescent advocacy and collaborative problem solving.