The scholarships relate to a three-week summer course for high school students at Cornell that offers three college credits and immerses students in topics such as anatomy and physiology.
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Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has launched a new scholarship to encourage students from historically underrepresented groups to study veterinary medicine.
Veterinary medicine remains one of the least diversified professions, a subject the college deals with. Fostering inclusion and support for students from historically underrepresented communities early in their education – with a focus on the pipeline of potential students applying for veterinary school – is seen as key to diversifying the subject.
“With the discussion about increasing diversity, I thought, ‘What can I do? ‘Said Dr. Paul Maza, lecturer in anatomy. “And we talked about how we can increase diversity in our own courses.”
This led to the creation of a new scholarship to support underrepresented students attending the Precollege summer course Veterinary Medicine: Small Animal Practice from summer 2022.
open doors
This three-week course offers three college credits and covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, as well as their clinical applications in veterinary medicine. In hands-on laboratories, students can experience some of the activities they would find in veterinary school, such as: B. Anatomy, imaging, physical examination, suturing and bandaging laboratories, and CPR.
The experience introduced high schoolers to the veterinary profession and helped generate an interest or even a career path in the field. Historically, the course’s demographics were not represented by blacks, indigenous peoples, and people from color communities.
Maza and the co-leader of the course, Dr. Physiology Lecturer Kelly Lyboldt worked with Jodi Korich, DVM, Associate Dean for Education, and other college and university leaders to award four full scholarships, including room and board, available to historically underrepresented students to attend the Precollege this year. To attend course.
Aware that underrepresented students who are new to their homes and communities may need more than financial support, Lybolt works with peers to ensure that scholars receive the mental, emotional, and community support that you need.
“I hope this fellowship opens a door, and over time, I hope that it helps keep that door open so others can pull through,” said Lyboldt. “Maybe this little act can have a big impact, and maybe students who are currently considered underrepresented will not be underrepresented in the future.”
Dream more
Expanding the pipeline to diversify students coming to Cornell has long been a focus for Jai Sweet, PhD, Senior Director of Student Development and Academic Services, and Jennifer Mailey, Director of Admissions. In addition to attending career fairs and recruiting events for various students, they have long-term partnerships with New York high schools where they visit teenagers and talk to them about veterinary school and the job.
Sweet brings a group of 10-15 students from John Bowne High School to the Veterinary School every summer (excluding 2020) for an in-depth study of veterinary medicine – including animal testing labs, clinical rotations, and tours of other parts of Cornell. Sweet also bus drives 45 of John Bowne’s students to attend the CVM Open House each spring. “We want to give these students a glimpse of what an Ivy League university looks like and what a veterinary school looks like,” said Sweet. “It’s about giving students access to further exploration, dreaming more, and making more connections.”
For Sweet and Mailey, it’s not just about recruiting at Cornell, it’s about the entire veterinary profession. “It’s exciting to expose these students to careers they might not have thought possible. If those experiences inspire them to explore the veterinary profession further and they eventually get to Cornell – that would be great! “Said Mailey.
Strengthen all
The diversification of veterinary medicine benefits everyone. Studies have shown that workplaces and teams with diverse backgrounds and experiences are much better at problem solving and creativity, while clients of all backgrounds who could benefit from shared cultural identities and experiences with their vets can be better looked after.
“Inclusiveness and accessibility will only strengthen our college and university and help us deliver high quality, compassionate veterinary care to our communities,” said Lyboldt. “The increasing diversity in our profession is crucial to better meet the needs of today’s society.”
Maza agreed. “The goal of all of this effort is to increase the number of students who enter veterinary school and become veterinarians who can better represent the diversity of our society and meet the needs of society according to the problems of each community,” he said.
Applications for the Under-Represented Student Scholarship to Attend the Cornell Precollege Studies Course, Veterinary Medicine: Small Animal Practice, will begin next January for the summer of 2022. Students, especially those from New York State, are encouraged to apply. To learn more, visit the Precollege Studies website and Veterinary Courses page, or contact Maza with any questions.
This article was written by Lauren Cahoon Roberts.