Progress 11/01/23 to 10/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:We worked exhaustively to find a Project Director, and have hired Mrs. Amanda Macer. We are now in the beginning stages of creating the program on the timeline that was initially created just delayed since we could not find the right prospect to lead the Veterinary Technician Program. Changes/Problems:There have been no major changes to the overall objectives of the program; however, our timeline has been significantly extended due to challenges in hiring a qualified Program Director. This delay impacted our ability to move forward with curriculum development, accreditation, and student recruitment. With the hiring of Mrs. Amanda Macer in June 2024, we have overcome this challenge and are now making steady progress. While we are operating on a three-year delay, we remain committed to completing all planned objectives, ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements, and successfully launching the program. No special or additional reporting requirements have been specified in the award Terms and Conditions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mrs. Macer attended the AVTE (American Veterinarian Technician Educators) conference in Houston on July 26-28, 2024, with plans to attend the conference in 2025. She learned valuable information and networked with other Texas Veterinary Technician Programs to help her develop the curriculum and course sequencing for our program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have actively engaged with the veterinary community, local humane societies, and Howard College leadership to keep stakeholders informed about the program's progress. Local veterinarians and clinics remain highly supportive, expressing strong interest in hiring graduates and offering mentorship and clinical training opportunities. The Happy Day Humane Society of Howard Countyand various small rescue organizations are eager to collaborate, recognizing the program's potential to provide students with hands-on experience while supporting animal welfare efforts. Within Howard College, faculty and staff have been kept informed through internal meetings, and we have participated in community discussions to maintain awareness. With the hiring of Mrs. Amanda Macer, we are now focusing on structured outreach, including student recruitment events, program updates on Howard College's website and social media, and strengthening clinical partnerships. While delays have been a challenge, support from the community remains strong, and we are committed to launching a high-quality veterinary technology program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will finalize the curriculum development, ensuring that all syllabi are completed and required texts are selected for each course. We will continue outreach to the community and area veterinary clinics, strengthening partnerships to secure hands-on training opportunities for students. A key focus will be supporting Mrs. Amanda Macer in obtaining her licensure, an important step in program leadership and accreditation. Additionally, we will engage in discussions with AVMA and CVTEA to clarify accreditation requirements and make tangible progress toward program approval. Student recruitment efforts will begin, with targeted outreach to area high schools and career fairs to build awareness and interest in the program. With these steps in place, we are working diligently to ensure a strong foundation for launching the first student cohort.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Despite significant delays, we have made meaningful progress toward establishing the Veterinary Technician A.A.S. Program. The hiring of Mrs. Amanda Macer in June 2024 was a critical milestone, allowing us to move forward with curriculum development, accreditation alignment, and clinical partnership efforts. We have resumed discussions with AVMA, CVTEA, and THECB to ensure compliance with all necessary accreditation and approval processes. While we have not yet enrolled students, we are now preparing for student recruitment and admissions, with a target enrollment date of Fall 2026, dependent on accreditation approvals. In addition to launching the A.A.S. program, we are exploring continuing education pathways, including Emergency and Critical Care Technician certification. Mrs. Macer is actively working with area veterinary technicians and veterinarians to identify training opportunities in this field. Partnerships with local humane societies and animal rescues have also been re-established, with many organizations eager to provide hands-on training opportunities for students. Discussions are underway to create a structured volunteer program to enhance student learning experiences. We have also seen strong interest from area veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians in developing a mentorship program for students. Early planning is in progress to connect students with experienced professionals in clinics, hospitals, and rescue organizations. While launching this program has taken longer than anticipated, we have built a strong foundation and are now moving forward with clear direction and momentum. With Mrs. Macer's leadership, we remain optimistic about the program's future and are committed to training the next generation of veterinary technicians in West Texas. Despite significant delays, we have made meaningful progress toward establishing the Veterinary Technician A.A.S. Program. The hiring of Mrs. Amanda Macer in June 2024 was a critical milestone, allowing us to move forward with curriculum development, accreditation alignment, and clinical partnership efforts. We have resumed discussions with AVMA, CVTEA, and THECB to ensure compliance with all necessary accreditation and approval processes. While we have not yet enrolled students, we are now preparing for student recruitment and admissions, with a target enrollment date of Fall 2026, dependent on accreditation approvals. In addition to launching the A.A.S. program, we are exploring continuing education pathways, including Emergency and Critical Care Technician certification. Mrs. Macer is actively working with area veterinary technicians and veterinarians to identify training opportunities in this field. Partnerships with local humane societies and animal rescues have also been re-established, with many organizations eager to provide hands-on training opportunities for students. Discussions are underway to create a structured volunteer program to enhance student learning experiences. We have also seen strong interest from area veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians in developing a mentorship program for students. Early planning is in progress to connect students with experienced professionals in clinics, hospitals, and rescue organizations. While launching this program has taken longer than anticipated, we have built a strong foundation and are now moving forward with clear direction and momentum. With Mrs. Macer's leadership, we remain optimistic about the program's future and are committed to training the next generation of veterinary technicians in West Texas.
Publications
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Progress 11/01/21 to 10/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:While our project has been desperately needed in West Texas, we have struggled to find the right person to hire on as the Program Chair for our Veterinary Technician Program. We have reached out to our target area for leads on a possible person to lead the program, but we are still struggling to find that. We have stayed in constant contact with many veterinary clinics around our service area. Changes/Problems:As already stated in previous questions, we have had trouble in finding the right person to lead the department in our stated goals for the project. We have not made any major changes except for having to push our stated timeline back by a year. We are hoping to stay the course, and find the right person to lead the program. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?So far, we have not been able to provide direct training or professional development for a licensed veterinary technician. We are still searching to find the right person, and once hired, they can start to provide area veterinary technicians the opportunity to gain professional development and supplemental training while he/she develops the Howard College Veterinary Technician Program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have tried to stay in constant contact with area veterinary clinics to provide updates and ask for support in finding us the right person to lead the program. We have reached out to area high schools with regular updates on the program through email or phone conversations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to find new avenues to post our position and reach out further to other schools around the nation to ask about recent graduates. We will continue to search for the right person. Once the person is hired, they will immediately get to work with the AVMA to start the accreditation process and start to offer professional development to area veterinary clinicians. This program chair will also work on the curriculum for the program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As of this reporting period, we have struggled to find the right person to take the lead on developing the program with the correct credentials as dictated by the American Veterinary Medical Association. There are many on-the-job trained veterinary technicians in our area, but very few are licensed under AVMA accreditation. Our goals have not changed as of this time, and we still hope to complete each of these goals as laid out by our plan during the original award. We have started reaching out to recent Licensed Veterinary Technician graduates from around the state to gauge interest in leading our program while also listing our position on various concentrated career boards.
Publications
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