Lt. Col. Regina O. Samuel is the daughter of Mrs. Amanda Samuel Gregg, and her home church is Mt. Zion AME in Florence SC. Lt. Col. Samuel attended public schools in Florence County, SC, Allen University and Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and other universities in Texas and Alabama. She is currently seeking her DMin degree from Erskine Theological Seminary.

              Serving in the Air Force as a Chaplain, she has been selected for promotion to colonel on the Air Force CY21B-621B Chaplain Colonel Board. Pending Senate approval, she will be the first woman chaplain colonel in the Air Force Chaplain Corps endorsed by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Lt. Col. Samuel demonstrates the innovation and persistence of Jarena Lee by bridging her faith and her military service making her qualified to receive the Jarena Lee Woman of Distinction Award.