Progress 07/15/23 to 07/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience Include: 1. Tennessee youth who are underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities. 2. Socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged veterinary school applicants. 3. Socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged veterinary students. 4. Non-MSP veterinary students (future veterinary workforce). 5. Tennessee youth involved in extracurricular activities related to veterinary medicine. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: (1) College Ambassadors: The MSP students continue to serve as college ambassadors in such areas of tours for potential students and veterinary alumni, panels for incoming students, and promoting the college at career fairs for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. However, their participation is limited now due to their clinical training commitments and patient care responsibilities. Professional development: (1) Experiential Learning Off Campus - With the opportunities listed under section 6A, the scholars learn and practice their history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic planning skills, as well as interpret diagnostic tests, manage medical records, develop treatment plans, assess anesthesia and pain management, and ensure animal welfare and patient care. Students apply their knowledge and skills of basic surgery and medicine, case management and follow-through, health promotion and prevention, and emergency and intensive care. They also practice communicating with medical personnel and clients, making ethical decisions, and contributing to the medical team by tending to their overall professionalism. (2) Academic Veterinary Medicine education elective - With this elective, one student was able to learn to identify and discuss ways to improve delivery of classroom content to veterinary students, describe major differences between a tracking and non-tracking veterinary curriculum, describe the required components for an accredited veterinary technician curriculum, clean and summarize data from a veterinary education program evaluation survey, and provide learning guidance to near peers using evidence-based methods and best practices. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?VOLVet Vision is the annual magazine produced by the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. It is distributed to college alumni, donors, and referring veterinarians. One of the MSP scholars, Terey Edwards, will be featured in a 2024 VOLVet Vision story. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Project Goals: Goal 1: Increase diversity of the student body at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling a cohort of 5 multicultural scholars from populations historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine. We will continue to monitor the success of the MSP scholars in the clinical phase by review through regular assessment on their abilities to meet the competencies set by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. The scholars took the Veterinary Education Assessment to help guide NAVLE study. Goal 2: Prepare these 5 scholars for the veterinary workforce by providing a multi-layered mentorship program, and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement. We will continue to provide mentorship and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement as student schedules permit. Goal 3: Provide off-campus experiential learning (SEL) activities focused on leadership training, as well as externships in USDA NIFA priority areas, such as animal health and production, and food security and safety. The scholars will continue to have more opportunities to engage in off-campus experiential learning in the form of externships and off-campus electives as they complete their clinical training.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Veterinary medicine is a service-oriented profession, and to meet societal needs, the profession must be as diverse as the communities it serves. However, veterinary medicine is the least diverse of all health-related fields. Furthermore, it faces significant challenges in recruitment of underrepresented minority (URM) students and its ability to create a diverse workforce. Targeted investment toward increasing the number of URM students pursuing Doctor of Veterinary Medicinedegrees will lead to a more diverse, innovative, culturally competent, and highly skilled veterinary work force. The PD monitors recruitment contacts and applicants from under-represented populations and semester academic progress of multicultural scholars. Each multicultural scholar submits a yearly progress report that includes program activities from the previous year. Prior to entering clinical training, scholars took the Veterinary Education Assessment to identify preparation for the licensing exam (to be reported in next year's progress report). Now that they are in their clinical training, we have begun collecting data for satisfactory scholar progress in the 9 AVMA competencies. Finally, licensure exam pass rate, employment after graduation, and student tracking via an alumni survey will be conducted. Key indicators from data that are not FERPA-protected will be aggregated and shared with faculty, staff, and students at the college. The project's ultimate goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing DVM degrees to lead to a more diverse and highly skilled veterinary workforce, toward greater access and quality of veterinary care to diverse communities and meeting the needs of 21st Century food and agricultural systems. Goals: Increase diversity of the student body at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling a cohort of 5 multicultural scholars from populations historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Prepare these 5 scholars for the veterinary workforce by providing a multi-layered mentorship program, and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement. Provide off-campus experiential learning (SEL) activities focused on leadership training, as well as externships in USDA NIFA priority areas, such as animal health and production, and food security and safety. Increase diversity of the student body at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling a cohort of 5 multicultural scholars from populations historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Activities completed: The five multicultural scholars remain enrolled and are now in their final year of the four-year program. They began clinical training in January 2024, after successful completion of the pre-clinical curriculum (Yrs 1-3). Data collected: MSP course exam results, course grades, GPAs, clinical skills, and clinical competencies. Results discussion: The majority of this information is protected by FERPA, but all five MSP students remain enrolled in the program and are making satisfactory progress toward graduating with their DVM degree. Key outcomes: Students continue to gain knowledge, as evidenced by their continuation in the veterinary degree program. Prepare these 5 scholars for the veterinary workforce by providing a multi-layered mentorship program, and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement. Activities completed since the last reporting period: One scholar participated in a veterinary education-focused elective clinical rotation with Dr. Misty Bailey (co-investigator). Data collected: Assignments were completed, including evaluating veterinary lectures from the perspective of a peer, visiting another veterinary school to discuss their educational model with college leadership, and completing a reflection paper. Results discussion: Feedback was provided to the student, and competencies were assessed. Since the rotation, the student has become more involved in academic veterinary medicine by voluntarily attending other veterinary education seminars. Key outcomes:MSP students acquired insights in the development of their career path, conceptualized strategic alignment of professional goals. Leadership skills were honed with MSP student engagement. Provide off-campus experiential learning (SEL) activities focused on leadership training, as well as externships in USDA NIFA priority areas, such as animal health and production, and food security and safety. Major activities completed: 1of the MSP students completed the Mixed Animal Medicine in Rural Argentina Externship program. The 2-week opportunity allows students to work with veterinarians in rural Argentina. Specifically, this course exposes senior veterinary students to the challenges associated with practicing veterinary medicine in a rural, under-served community in a foreign country. Students are able to practice hands-on skills in small and large animal species while gaining the experience and understanding of cultural differences. To better prepare for the trip, students were required to meet with the leading faculty instructor to go over the culture of the community and the animal diseases that are more prevalent in the area. Each of the MSP students is actively completing and/or has completed externship experiences during their clinical year. Externships have taken place at Southern Veterinary Partners - Summertree Animal & Bird Hospital, North Dallas Veterinary Hospital, City Vet - Las Colinas, Banfield Pet Hospital, ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center, Veterinary Emergency Group, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pathology Service, South Asheville Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, and Karns Animal Clinic. Of these externships, the following were focused on USDA NIFA priority areas: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Externship Program - An externship opportunity for 3rd- and 4th-year veterinary students to spend 2-4 weeks at the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center (AVFSC) in Gainesville, Florida. The AVFSC is the nation's first and only multidisciplinary forensic laboratory in the United States dedicated to animal cruelty casework involving companion and other domestic animals. Students get the chance to experience the many different and unique challenges faced by veterinarians working in forensic medicine and anti-cruelty management. This externship promotes the application of forensic sciences to veterinary medicine to aid in the understanding, prevention, and prosecution of animal cruelty. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pathology Service - The NC State Pathology service provides training in veterinary pathology and a solid foundation to become a competent pathologist. This externship experience will supplement pathology training that is part of the core curriculum already in place at the University of Tennessee and permit the student to see a different caseload with different animal species. Karns Animal Clinic - KAC offers preventive and general care for farm animals as well as vaccinations, dentistry, and diagnostics for equine species; they also make farm calls. All 5 MSP scholars are actively engaged in ongoing externship experiences and are being assessed for competency and skill. Summary statistics and results discussion: All five MSP students have completed and/or are engaged in external experiential learning, and so far, 10 such experiences have been scheduled and/or completed. MSP Students have gained increased knowledge and further enriched their veterinary education with hands-on experience in various areas of practice within the profession.Participants completing external experiential learning apply foundational knowledge from veterinary studies and acquired hands-on experience learned from programs and clinical exposure.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2024 Citation: VOLVet Vision is the annual magazine produced by the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. We print 11,000 (885 for college use and 10,115 we mail out to college alumni, donors, and referring veterinarians). One of the MSP scholars, Terey Edwards, will be featured in a 2024 VOLVet Vision story.

Progress 07/15/22 to 07/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience Include: 1. Tennessee youth who are underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (Black/African Americans, Native Americans/American Indian, Hispanic and LatinX, and other people of color). 2. Socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged veterinary school applicants. 3. Socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged veterinary students. 4. Non-MSP veterinary students (future veterinary workforce). 5. Tennessee youth involved in extracurricular activities related to veterinary medicine. Changes/Problems:Unexpected outcomes: A Day at the CDC (Veterinary Student Day) was halted after 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are no current plans to reinstate this program. We originally wanted each MSP scholar to experience this opportunity but will likely be unable to move forward with that plan. The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Annual Conference and Iverson Bell Symposium are offered each March in Washington, DC. The 2023 event unexpectedly exceeded registration, and MSP scholars were unable to register and attend. We will attempt to arrange attendance at the 2024 or 2025 conference, but scholars' clinical rotation schedule might prevent them from being able to take advantage of this opportunity. The 2024 conference has been moved to a larger venue. Due to recent university interpretation of a federal policy, payment was delayed for research performed as part of the Summer Student Research Program. While the policy was being interpreted, the MSP scholars continued their research. The policy interpretation was that students may not be paid wages for research experiences sponsored by grant funds without processing the funds as financial aid. Three scholars eventually received funds that were processed as financial aid. Two students who would have been adversely affected by processing the funds in this way received their funds through a separate, non-restricted college account. The experiential learning funds remaining for those two students will be used for other experiential learning opportunities. Minor change: Actual FTEs for this reporting period differs from the previous year because one of the co-investigators on the grant project, Misty Bailey, was moved to a faculty role in November 2022. Therefore, no FTEs for professionals are reported this year, and all FTEs are for faculty. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP)- Two MSP students were involved as chaperons to Tennessee high school students; helped to schedule experiences for the high school students, participate in experiential learning opportunities with the high school students, and serve as mentors. Tennessee Leadership Camp- MSP scholars participated in the Tennessee Leadership Camp as 1st year veterinary students. This year, the MSP students served as facilitators and group leaders for the next class of incoming veterinary students. College Ambassadors- MSP students served as college ambassadors in such areas of tours for potential students and veterinary alumni, panels for incoming students, promoting the college at career fairs for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. Professional development: Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE)- Two MSP students in this program participated in the VLE, a week-long program, designed to develop personal and professional leadership skills. Center of Excellence Summer Student Research Program- All MSP students conducted research with a faculty mentor. Grant co-investigator, Misty Bailey, served as a summer research mentor to one of the MSP scholars. Kids U Veterinary Camp - Two MSP scholars participated in this experience for 6th through 8th-grade TN students to learn a wide range of topics related to veterinary medicine. Boy Scouts of America- One MSP scholar assisted a local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America to earn a veterinary medicine merit badge. 4-H Virtual Vet Program - All MSP scholars participated in the 4- H Virtual Vet Program for youth in 4th-12th grades. The club introduced and enhanced youth engagement about topics on veterinary medicine. Experiential Learning Off Campus- One MSP student took a study abroad course in Applied One Health in Ecuador. The student gained hands-on experience in domestic animal medicine, public health outreach, and One Health research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goal 1:We will continue to monitor the success of the MSP scholars by following their performance on traditional in-class assessments. The scholars will also take the Veterinary Education Assessment to help guide NAVLE study. Once in the clinical phase of the program in January 2024, scholars will be regularly assessed on their abilities to meet the competencies set by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. Goal 2: We will continue to provide mentorship and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement through the programs mentioned elsewhere in this report. As a result of programming with the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scout organization has reached out to arrange a similar program in the upcoming year. Goal 3:During the upcoming year, the multicultural scholars will have more opportunities to focus on off-campus experiential learning in the form of externships during their clinical training.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Veterinary medicine is a service-oriented profession, and to meet societal needs, the profession must be as diverse as the communities it serves. However, veterinary medicine is the least diverse of all health-related fields. Furthermore, it faces significant challenges in recruitment of underrepresented minority (URM) students and its ability to create a diverse workforce. Targeted investment toward increasing the number of URM students pursuing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees will lead to a more diverse, innovative, culturally competent, and highly skilled veterinary work force. The PD monitors recruitment contacts and applicants from under-represented populations and semester academic progress of multicultural scholars. Each multicultural scholar submits a yearly progress report that includes program activities from the previous year. Prior to entering clinical training, scholars took the Veterinary Education Assessment to identify preparation for the licensing exam (to be reported in next year's progress report). During their clinical training, we will collect data for satisfactory scholar progress in the nine AVMA competencies. To measure the multicultural understanding of all students, self-reported cultural competence assessments will be conducted each year. Finally, licensure exam pass rate, employment after graduation, and student tracking via an alumni survey will be conducted. Key indicators from data that are not FERPA-protected will be aggregated and shared with faculty, staff, and students at the college. The project's ultimate goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing DVM degrees to lead to a more diverse and highly skilled veterinary workforce, toward greater access and quality of veterinary care to diverse communities and meeting the needs of 21st Century food and agricultural systems. Goal 1: Increase diversity of the student body at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling a cohort of 5 multicultural scholars from populations historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Activities completed: The 5 multicultural scholars remain enrolled and are now in their third year of the four-year program. They begin clinical training in January 2024, contingent on a successful fall 2023 semester. Data: MSP course exam results, course grades, and GPAs. Summary results: The majority of this information is protected by FERPA, but all five MSP students remain enrolled in the program. Outcomes:Students continue to gain knowledge, as evidenced by their continuation in the veterinary degree program. Goal 2: Prepare these 5 scholars for the veterinary workforce by providing a multi-layered mentorship program, and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement. Activities completed: Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) - 3 MSP students werementoring chaperons in the UT VSEP for Tennessee high school juniors and seniors. The VSEP seeks to offer worthwhile opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine while generating a pool of potential veterinary students. Theprogram is designed to provide valuable educational experiences and acquaint students with all facets of the veterinary profession. The program spans six weeks and enables the high school student to gain relevant experience by working in veterinary practices across the state. During the final week, MSP participants serve as chaperones, help schedule experiences for the students, participate in experiential learning opportunities with the students, and serve as mentors for the students. MSP students helped facilitate the Tennessee Leadership Camp. This camp is similar in structure and function to the VLE described in Goal 3.MSP students served as facilitators and group leaders for the class of incoming veterinary students. MSP students also serve as college ambassadors, thereby supporting the efforts of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Assistant Dean for Students in areas of tours for potential students and veterinary alumni, panels for incoming students, and promoting the college and veterinary career at career fairs for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. All 5 MSP scholars participated in the Center of Excellence Summer Student Research Program, performingresearch alongside mentors. This research included examining the role of childhood obesity in cancer, determining how practicing veterinarians are using ChatGPT, evaluating diagnostic tests for urinary diseases, examining bovine blood as a source for transfusions in swine, and exploring solutions in bovine reproduction. 2 MSP scholars participated in the Kids U veterinary camp experience for 6th through 8th-grade Tennessee students. Youth participants learn a wide range of topics related to veterinary medicine, including routine animal healthcare and how to properly perform non-invasive procedures. Additionally, participants explore pathways to a career in veterinary medicine. 2 MSP scholars assisted a local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America to earn a veterinary medicine merit badge. All MSP scholars participated in the 4- H Virtual Vet Program. In partnership with the Tennessee 4-H Program, the Virtual Vet Science Club is an online course designed for youth in 4th-12th grades. The club meets monthly to introduce and enhance youth engagement about topics on veterinary medicine. The youth participants learn more about career exploration statewide, particularly within rural communities. Data: Each MSP scholar has participated in tours, panels, and college promotion activities for UTCVM, and presented material resulting from summer research projects. Summary results: All five MSP students have now participated in the VSEP program. For the VSEP, six high school students were involved, and for Kids U, 12 youth were involved. Outcomes:4 MSP students presented results from their Summer Student Research Program to members of the college during brief seminars during the lunch hour. Leadership and mentorship skills were honed with MSP student engagement in the 4-H, Boy Scout, VSEP, and Kids U programming. Specifically, MSP students enabled several Boy Scouts to earn their veterinary medicine merit badges. All five MSP scholars participated in at least one session of the 4-H Virtual Vet Program, for which 300+ students registered last year, spanning across 75 counties; the program received a 2023 Communicator Award with the Tennessee Association of Extension 4-H Agents. Skills in research and presentation of results were realized with participation in the Summer Student Research Program. Goal 3: Provide off-campus experiential learning (SEL) activities focused on leadership training, as well as externships in USDA NIFA priority areas, such as animal health and production, and food security and safety. Activities completed: Two of the five MSP students completed the Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE), a week-long program designed to develop personal and professional leadership skills and growth. The national program is supported by American Veterinary Medical Association, the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), and others. One MSP studenttook a study abroad course in Applied One Health in Ecuador. This experience was in the Galapagos Islands, in collaboration with World Veterinary Services and Mission Rabies. The student gained hands-on experience in domestic animal medicine, public health outreach, and One Health research. Data: All MSP scholars have now completed the Veterinary Leadership Experience. Summary results: All MSP students have now participated in the VLE. One student participated in an off-campus experiential learning activity. Outcomes:Students who participated in VLE gained increased knowledge of life skills. The participant in off-campus experiential learning applied foundational knowledge from veterinary studies and skills learned from previous VLE participation

Publications

Progress 07/15/21 to 07/14/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audiences Include: Underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (Black/African Americans, Native Americans/American Indian, Hispanic and Latinx, and other people of color. Socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged student applicants Veterinary workforce Communities will receive increased access to veterinary healthcare where disparities exist. Efforts Include: Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE) - 3 of 5 MSP students in this program participated in the VLE, a week-long program, designed to develop personal and professional leadership skills. The program is supported by American Veterinary Medical Association, the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), and others. The remaining 2 students will participate in the VLE in 2023. Veterinary Sumer Experience Program (VSEP)- 3 of 5 MSP students in this program were involved as chaperones in the University of Tennessee's VSEP for Tennessee high school juniors and seniors. Since its establishment in 1993, the VSEP seeks to offer worthwhile opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine while simultaneously generating a pool of potential veterinary students. To this end, the program has been designed to provide valuable educational experiences and acquaint students with all facets of our exciting profession. The program spans six weeks in June and July. During this time, the high school student gains relevant experience by working in veterinary practices across the state. During the final week, the MSP participants serve as chaperones, help to schedule experiences for the high school students, participate in experiential learning opportunities for the high school students, and serve as mentors for the students. The remaining 2 students will participate in VSEP in 2023. The MSP students participated in the Tennessee Leadership Camp as first year veterinary students. This camp is similar in structure and function to the VLE listed above. In 2022, the MSP students served as facilitators and group leaders for the next class of incoming veterinary students. The MSP students also serve as University of Tennessee CVM (UTCVM) Ambassadors thereby supporting the efforts of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Assistant Dean for Students in areas of tours for potential students, veterinary alumni, panels for incoming students, and promoting the UTCVM at career fairs for K-12 students, undergraduate students, and graduate students. Changes/Problems:The Project Director for this program has changed. Dr. Michael P. Jones has retired from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine effective June 30, 2022. The new Project Director is Dr. ShaRonda Cooper, Assistant Dean for Students at the UTCVM. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training Activities: MSP participants are afforded 10 free hours of tutoring if needed. This is supported by the MSP program, The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and the Student American Veterinary Medical Association. MSP participants provided opportunity to attend the Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Iverson Bell Symposium Professional Development: Complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) through myIDP Science Careers to guide and develop their short- and long-term plans to achieve their career goals MSP scholars receive a multi-layered mentorship plan utilizing faculty, peers, and networking with local veterinary practitioners Opportunity to participate in the paid UTCVM Center of Excellence Summer Student Research Program Leadership participation in Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) (Dr. ShaRonda Cooper, program director) Tennessee Leadership Camp Facilitators How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the MSP participants that were unable to take part in the Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) and the Veterinary Leadership Experience Program (VLE) at Ross Point Camp in Post Falls, ID. MSP participants have priority selection for the VLE program. Participants will also attend the American Association of Veterinary Medical College Annual conference and Iverson Bell Symposium. Additional activities include participation in the UTCVM Center of Excellence Summer Student Research Program. All participant will provide continued support for the Tennessee Leadership Camp, The UTCVM Veterinary Summer Experience Program for Tennessee high school students, continue to serve as UTCVM Ambassadors, and other activities determined by the Assistant Dean for Students.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Impact Statement: Veterinary medicine is a service-oriented profession, and to meet societal needs, the profession must be as diverse as the communities it serves. However, veterinary medicine is the least diverse of all health-related fields. Furthermore, it faces significant challenges in recruitment of underrepresented minority (URM) students and its ability to create a diverse workforce. Targeted research and investment towards increasing the number of URM students pursuing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees will lead to a more diverse, innovative, culturally competent, and highly skilled veterinary work force. The PD will monitor recruitment contacts and applicants from under-represented populations and semester academic progress of multicultural scholars. Each multicultural scholar will submit a yearly progress report that will include program activities from the previous year and a report from a Student Leadership Practices Inventory. Before entering clinical training, scholars will take the Veterinary Education Assessment to identify preparation for the licensing exam. During their clinical training, we will collect data for satisfactory scholar progress in the nine AVMA competencies. To measure the multicultural understanding of all students, self-reported cultural competence assessments will be conducted each year. Finally, licensure exam pass rate, employment after graduation, and student tracking via an alumni survey will be conducted. Key indicators from data that are not FERPA-protected will be aggregated and shared with faculty, staff, and students at the college. The project's ultimate goal is to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing DVM degrees to lead to a more diverse and highly skilled veterinary workforce, greater access and quality of veterinary care to diverse communities and meet the needs of 21st-century food and agricultural systems. Goals and Objectives: (1) To increase diversity of the student body at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling a cohort of 5 multicultural scholars from populations historically underrepresented in veterinary medicine 1)Major activities completed / experiments conducted: A cohort of 5 students were recruited and selected for the program representing ethnic diversity from historically underrepresented populations. These students are all members of the UTCVM Class of 2025. 2) Data collected - Completed 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results: Recruitment and selection of the MSP students consisted of a three-phase holistic application process including evaluation of academic promise, application packet review, and a structured interview 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized- In progress (2) To prepare these 5 scholars for the veterinary workforce by providing a multi-layered mentorship program, and opportunities for leadership, research, and community engagement 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted: The MSP students have completed an Individual Development Plan to guide development of short- and long-term plans to achieve their career goals MSP students have received access to college and university support via free tutoring, mentorship utilizing faculty, peers, and networking with local veterinary practitioners 3 of 5 MSP students have participated as student leaders in the UTCVM Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP). An established service learning opportunity that generates a pipeline of potential veterinary students. The remaining 2 students will participate in the VSEP program in 2023. 2) Data collected- In progress 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results and 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. (3) To provide off-campus experiential learning (SEL) activities focused on leadership training, as well as externships in USDA NIFA priority areas, such as animal health and production, and food security and safety. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; 3 of 5 MSP students participated in the (Veterinary Leadership Experience) VLE, a week-long program, designed to develop personal and professional leadership skills. The remaining 2 students will participate in the VLE in 2023. 2) Data collected- In progress 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results and 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized.

Publications