Reynolds professor, 71, receives Ed.D

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Information Systems’ Instructor Shirley Justis Mitteldorfer, at the age of 71, received her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix in October 2010. Dr. Mittledorfer has taught technology courses at the College as an adjunct since the 1980’s.

Dr. Mitteldorfer celebrates after
passing the comprehensive exam.

In 2004, Dr. Mitteldorfer retired from Chesterfield County Public Schools where she was an instructional technology integrator and, before that, a classroom teacher. She went back to work four months later at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where she now works as a senior instructional technology consultant for the University’s students, staff and faculty. She is also a professor for the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond. Dr. Mitteldorfer holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Education from VCU and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from VCU.

“Obtaining a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction was a personal goal for me as starting a new career at 71 years old does not motivate me to change careers as long as I love what I do,” said Mitteldorfer. “I am content with staying on the cutting edge of technology that is required for my work, spending time traveling, and enjoying our families.”

Her work commitments leave little time for relaxation, but she and her husband, Marx, do enjoy traveling – having spent vacations during the last decade in Spain, Italy, the West Indies, the Caribbean, Greece, Ireland and France. She says her husband was “the wind beneath [her] wings” as he took on care of their families, home, cars and shopping while she pursued her degree.

“My joy and enthusiasm for teaching and learning is sustainable because of my husband,” she said.