Siblings in same class continue Migliores’ veterinary education legacy at Virginia Tech

Two veterinary degrees from Virginia Tech aren’t enough for the Migliore family. By next spring, they expect to double that number.

Siblings Mike Migliore and Nikki Migliore are both members of the Class of 2025 at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM). Their older brother Steve Migliore and his wife Samantha Slenbaker received their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees at Virginia Tech in 2016 and currently work in veterinary care in Pennsylvania.

With the same last name, Mike and Nikki sometimes find themselves mistaken for a married couple. However, they quickly clarify that they are siblings who happen to be pursuing veterinary education in the same graduating class. 

They are not twins, however, as Mike is three years older than Nikki. He is married to Amanda, who is currently pursuing a nursing degree at Radford University.

Mike Migliore completed bachelor’s degrees in wildlife and fisheries biology and biological sciences at Clemson University in 2017. He then worked as a veterinary assistant in New Hampshire and a molecular biologist for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) before embarking on his journey as a DVM candidate at VMCVM in 2021.

Meanwhile, Nikki completed her bachelor's degree in animal science at Penn State University in 2019. She worked in various veterinary clinics before commencing her veterinary studies at VMCVM, also in 2021.

Older brother Steve’s experience at the veterinary college inspired Nikki’s career choice.

“When Steve graduated from here, I was still early in my undergrad career, trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” Nikki Migliore said. “And then after I came to his graduation, that is when I thought, ‘Hey, I think I could really be a veterinarian’. Then, I switched my major, and from there started tracking toward veterinary medicine.”

Steve Migliore is the medical director for four small animal practices in Hershey, Pennsylvania. His wife Samantha Slenbaker has recently taken on the role of practice owner by establishing an emergency clinic in the region.

"Nikki is passionate about small animals, especially emergency medicine," Mike Migliore said. "Meanwhile, I'm more into the corporate side, focusing on fish medicine."

Mike Migliore leads the Veterinary Business Management Association Student Chapter, while Nikki Migliore works as a veterinary assistant in the small animal Community Practice clinic at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Despite their differing interests, the Migliore siblings support each other.

"At first, we wanted to go our separate ways, especially with professors knowing our older brother," Nikki said. "But as we went on, we found ourselves relying on each other more, offering support whenever needed."

They also enjoy a bit of friendly competition. "After exams, we always compare notes to see who did better," Nikki said. "It keeps us motivated to do our best," Mike added. 

The Migliores were born in California, where their parents were in the booming tech industry, but later moved to New Hampshire.  

“When we were kids in California, our family raised exotic birds,” Mike Migliore said. “On top of that, we had all kinds of animals like dogs, fish, snakes, lizards, birds, and even a hedgehog. Even though our parents were a part of the tech industry, they instilled in us the care for animals which all three of us have taken to heart.”. 

While their older brother and sister-in-law have settled in Pennsylvania, Mike and Nikki harbor aspirations for the Carolinas. Mike and his wife hope to relocate closer to the coast, while Nikki has eyes for the mountains and hopes to work in a small animal emergency in Asheville, North Carolina.

Having four DVMs will serve the Migliore family well in caring for their Labrador retrievers, who are also related to each other. 

"Our dogs are actually siblings too," explained Mike Migliore. “The family tree gets complicated but all of us have labs stemming from our brother’s dog, who was the matriarch for all the dogs in the family.”