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<p>Veterinary medicine remains the most culturally homogenous health profession, with fewer than 6% of veterinarians from underrepresented groups. The objective of this Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is to promote awareness of the veterinary profession and veterinary health sciences among underrepresented populations (Program Area of Emphasis V). This includes scholarships for four meritorious students in the DVM degree program at the University of Minnesota. To broaden appreciation for the role of veterinarians in society, MSP Scholars will participate in summer research fellowships in which students work with CVM research faculty in order to spark interest in careers that include food safety, veterinary genetics, public health, companion animal oncology, and translational medicine. This will build an important pipeline of undergraduate DVM students into graduate veterinary health sciences programs. This MSP program takes advantage of several strengths that include: </p>
<p>1) an accredited, interdisciplinary DVM curriculum with a large applicant pool; </p>
<p>2) the College of Veterinary Medicine's Summer Scholars program that provides experiential research training in areas of interest to the MSP Scholar; and </p>
<p>3) partnerships with traditionally black colleges to identifying students interested in veterinary careers. </p>
<p>MSP-specific faculty mentoring and peer advising mechanisms will ensure success of this unique student cohort. Together, these efforts will promote matriculation into and success within veterinary health disciplines for careers as practitioners, independent investigators, or governmental service veterinarians. We expect this MSP program will recruit and graduate four DVMs from underrepresented populations.</p>
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: <br/>Nationally, the percentage of veterinarians from underrepresented populations does not reflect the population at large and lags far behind other health professions such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses, despite the fact that veterinarian was recently listed as one of the best careers. Our MSP program will immediately address this deficit by offering scholarships to four undergraduate DVM students from underrepresented populations. In addition, a summer research experience in the laboratories of CVM faculty will attract more individuals from underrepresented populations to both practice and research aspects of veterinary medicine.
<p>APPROACH: <br/>The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has officially partnered with Florida A&M University to identify and recruit African American students into our veterinary curriculum. In addition, we will advertise MSP Scholarships at several HBCU with pre-vet and animal sciences programs ahead of the fall 2010 DVM application deadline. Once students matriculate, they will be supported by 1) peer mentoring groups to assist with scholastic performance, 2) career mentoring sessions with CVM faculty and Veterinary Medical Center residents, and 3) cultural peer groups coordinated through the University of Minnesota's Office for Diversity in Graduate Education. Scholars will meet regularly with the Principal Directors to review progress and address challenges that may be encountered. The cost of a veterinary medical education has risen quicker than the rate of
inflation and currently presents the most significant barrier for many potential students. DVM graduates now average greater than $93,000 in debt upon graduation with average starting wages of under $60,000. Out of state tuition makes the cost of education unattainable for lower income students, thereby limiting their choices for DVM training. Our MSP program will immediately address this deficit by offering scholarships to four undergraduate DVM students from underrepresented populations. The CVM will also waive out-of-state tuition fees for MSP Scholars.
<p>PROGRESS: 2011/06 TO 2012/05<br/>OUTPUTS: This grant provides scholarships for four DVM students from under-represented populations who are pursuing food animal practice. The scholarships were used to successfully recruit 4 students to the DVM program at the University of Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Two students were recruited and entered the DVM program in the fall of 2010 (DVM class of 2014). One asian male, one female of Pacific Islander descent. Both students have maintained outstanding GPAs and are currently in their third year of training. Two students were recruited and entered the DVM program in the fall of 2011 (DVM class of 2015). Both are female of asian descent. Both have progressed without academic difficulty. Two students have accessed SEL funds to take on additional externships. One studied infectious disease ecology in Africa, the second has worked in a
research laboratory at the CVM to study bovine health. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
<p>PROGRESS: 2010/06/01 TO 2011/05/31<br/>This project specifically provides scholarships to 4 students from underrepresented populations in the professional DVM curriculum who are interested in agricultural animal or mixed animal tracks. We successfully recruited two students who matriculated in Fall 2010. Both students made excellent progress and maintained GPAs above 3.2. Both will return for their second year of DVM training in fall 2011. In addition, we heavily recruited appropriate audiences through direct e-mail contact and via information cards at recruiting fairs with large agricultural/pre-veterinary groups to advertise this opportunity. After reviewing 16 new applications of suitable candidates, we have enrolled the final two students. They will begin their DVM curriculum in fall 2011. PRODUCTS: We will produce 4 DVM graduates from underrepresented populations
from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine. OUTCOMES: This project will increase the ethnic and cultural diversity of the DVM profession, in particular DVMs serving agricultural animals and clientele. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: We have promoted this project via contacts with other Associate Deans at all North American colleges of veterinary medicine. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We will begin convening Fellows regularly (~1/month) with other diverse veterinary students and DVM faculty to maintain progress and to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment.