Dr. McMillan is a seasoned early childhood
professional of 35 years in early care and education. She has a broad background in human
development and family studies, with specific training and expertise in the
areas of child development, early childhood education, family systems,
assessment and evaluation of young children, and culturally relevant and responsive
perspectives and instructional practices.
Dr. McMillan is a leading Associate Professor in Child Development and Family Studies in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University. She is the Program Coordinator of the M.A.T. Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten) program, Interim Program Coordinator for the M.A.T. Family and Consumer Sciences Education program, and faculty liaison for the Child Development Laboratory. Dr. McMillan has facilitated 100+ undergraduate students’ successful entry into the early childhood workforce as teachers, center directors and assistant directors, parent educators, family advocates, program coordinators, child development specialists, early interventionists, and extension agents.
Dr. McMillan actively engages in scholarship that includes obtainment of teaching and research grants totaling over $1.2 million, published articles and technical reports, and delivered 100+ presentations at local, state, national, and international meetings and conferences that focused on the care, education and support of diverse young children and their families.
In 2007, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences recognized Dr. McMillan as the Academic Advisor of the Year. In 2011 and 2019, she received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the N.C. A&T Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society. She received the Early Childhood Champion Award from Guilford Child Development in 2017. Dr. McMillan received the University of North Carolina System’s 2019 Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. McMillan dedicates herself to professional service that positively impacts the lives of young children and their families. Her portfolio of service includes former membership on the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children’s Governing Board, North Carolina Curriculum and Ongoing Assessment Committee, North Carolina Partnership for Children Board of Directors, North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council, and National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Leadership Council. Currently, Dr. McMillan is a one of three founding Legacy Leaders of the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Circle. Furthermore, she currently serves on the National Coalition for Black Development in Family and Consumer Sciences Board, North Carolina Birth-Kindergarten Higher Education Consortium, Ready for School, Ready for Life Board of Directors (Equity Strategies Committee), School Readiness Collaborative of Guilford County, and Guilford Basics Advisory Board.
Dr. McMillan earned a B.S. in Child Development/Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed. in Elementary Counseling both from South Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. degree in Human Development and Family Studies (emphasis: Early Childhood Education) at Iowa State University.
Dr. Valerie J. McMillan: It has been a phenomenal experience from our beginning work relationships as colleagues with the NC BK Consortium to currently being instrumental as co-founders of the NCaeyc Equity in Early Childhood Circle. You keep facilitators grounded in research along with continuously staying focus on the theoretical framework of equity. I am honored to co-present at State and local conferences with you on related topics centered around systemic racism. You are a brilliant Black woman who is family-oriented, confident, and command respect. Thanks.
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