Improving Diversity in the DVM Program by Empowering Multicultural Scholars on Preveterinary Track at NC State University

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> In this collaborative proposal involving the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, we request scholarships to recruit, mentor and support four multicultural Scholars for the PreVeterinary track within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The ultimate goal of this endeavor for the Multicultural Scholars will be to prepare them for the immediate and future needs of the veterinary profession such as food safety, one health, large and food animal practice as well as companion animal practice. Cost-share funds have been committed by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Director of VetPAC and the Department Head of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. To gain a diverse array of experiences and strong leadership skills, several
internships and leadership opportunities have been guaranteed for the multicultural scholars. Research and teaching faculty along with administrators with a broad range of training skills, strong mentoring strengths and established research facilities have pledged their time and efforts to ensure the success of this program at NC State. The proposal is strengthened by already existing recruitment and training programs to identify underrepresented minority High School students like CAALS-3D, VetCAMP and HSOP. To guarantee a high academic success rate, several strategies have been planned which include tutoring, semesterly one-on-one advising and peer mentor meetings, well-planned internship schedule and a well-thought out course load. A thoughtfully designed student assessment process including quantitative and qualitative longitudinal analyses has been included in the project with the
help from The Office of Assessment for Undergraduate Academic Programs.
<p>APPROACH:<br/> Efforts- The ANS 281 Professional Developent course will be offered to the Scholars. Animal experience will be offered through the education units on and off-campus. Veterinary experience will be offered through local clinics and CVM facilties at NC State. Research opportunities will be pursued within labs at the university and beyond. Study Abroad options will be provided to the Scholars as well.Evaluation-Office of Assessment within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs at NC State University offers the assessment plan that focuses on program and student learning outcomes from MSP Scholars that are grounded in student success theory. MSP participants will engage in high-impact practices like specialized courses, internships, undergraduate research, and study abroad that have been shown to lead to "higher levels of student performance, learning,
and development than traditional classroom experiences" (Kuh, 2008).The detailed plan includes both quantitative and qualitative methods along with formative and summative assessment tools as well as a longitudinal component to track MSP participants throughout the program and after they have graduated from NC State University (Appendix 5). More specifically, qualitative data will be gathered via: student interviews at the beginning and end of each academic year, including an exit interview upon the student completing or leaving the program; a constantly updated MSP PreVeterinary track online portfolio, critical reflection papers and journals at multiple points during the program; and evaluations of the MSP scholars by the PD, MSP Mentors and research faculty. Upon completion of the program, longitudinal data on MSP participants will be collected for at least five years to document and
track their veterinary school and/or career plans and achievements. Data from all of these sources will be used on a semester basis to improve the program as participants' progress to learn about and improve practices for non-MSP students interested in a career in veterinary medicine.