{"id":12883,"date":"2021-07-23T11:51:07","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T15:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qa.vet.purdue.edu\/news\/?p=12883"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:52:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:52:08","slug":"graduates-of-vet-up-college-celebrate-virtually-as-they-step-closer-to-their-dream-of-becoming-veterinarians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/graduates-of-vet-up-college-celebrate-virtually-as-they-step-closer-to-their-dream-of-becoming-veterinarians.php","title":{"rendered":"Graduates of \u201cVet Up! College\u201d Celebrate Virtually as they Step Closer to their Dream of becoming Veterinarians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine successfully hosted its summer program called \u201cVet Up! College\u201d this year for undergraduate students who are serious about going to veterinary school.  The six week summer program culminated in a virtual graduation celebration June 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purdue Veterinary Medicine\u2019s assistant dean for inclusive excellence, Dr. Latonia Craig, began the ceremony by explaining that Vet Up! College is designed to address two critical health professional disparities:  a national and State of Indiana shortage of veterinarians in public health and rural or food animal practice and a significant lack of underrepresented individuals entering the veterinary profession.  The goal of the program is to fill veterinary shortage areas with equity-minded individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday we are celebrating 26 graduates from all over the nation who participated,\u201d Dr. Craig explained.  She noted the students represented more than a dozen states, from Indiana to Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas and Hawaii, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s program featured some creative adjustments from the inaugural Vet Up! College program that was conducted in 2019 as a residential summer experience at Purdue University.  \u201cDue to COVID 19, we had to cancel the program last year, but what that did was to give us more time to think of more innovative ways to deliver the program, without compromising rigor and quality,\u201d said Dr. Craig.  \u201cOur biggest concern was that if we delivered the program virtually, how could we create an opportunity for students to job shadow and gain hands-on animal experience?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Melanie
Melanie Figueroa Cordero, one of the 26 graduates in the Vet Up! College Class of 2021, was honored along with fellow graduate Kyra Holt as a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award during the virtual Graduation Celebration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The answer to that concern involved Purdue alumni and one of the program sponsors, National Veterinary Associates (NVA).  \u201cWith the help of NVA and some Purdue alumni, we were able to place all 26 participants at a clinical site in their residential areas, even in Hawaii and Puerto Rico,\u201d Dr. Craig shared enthusiastically.  \u201cI am amazed at the experiences our students gained in their clinical settings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NVA Director of Community Development Chris Janak joined in the virtual ceremony and praised the students in the Vet Up! College Class of 2021.  \u201cVet up graduates \u2013 I want you to know the impact that you had on the clinics and the hospitals and the resorts that you spent time in,\u201d Janak said.  He then read comments about the graduates that were received from the clinical sites.  \u201cAn absolute delight.\u201d \u201cTalented and so smart.\u201d  \u201cIncredibly inquisitive.\u201d  \u201cBright and a beautifully positive attitude.\u201d  One of the clinical sites even commented, \u201c\u2026we\u2019re so excited they have indicated an interest in joining our team.\u201d  Another described the student they hosted as \u201cthe Future of Veterinary Medicine.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janak went on to explain, \u201cIn my experience folks in animal care don\u2019t just give compliments to be nice. They give them when they really mean it.  So the feedback I\u2019ve just shared, let it sink in because you wouldn\u2019t be getting it if it weren\u2019t true.  You are all of these things and more. You are the future of Veterinary Medicine. We are grateful and humbled that we are able to be a small part of your journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Craig also acknowledged her staff in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, for their hard work in getting the program off the ground, as well as all of the faculty who gave of their time to teach during the months of May and June.  In addition, she recognized Dr. Sandra San Miguel, the college\u2019s associate dean for engagement, for her initial help and leadership in pursuing the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which made the program possible.  Additional program support is provided by Zoetis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Craig also praised the Purdue veterinary students who served as teaching assistants in the program: May Brooks, Akila Bryant, Keishla Marrero Acosta and Daniela Sanchez.  And she thanked Dean Willie Reed for his steadfast support of the program and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Dr. Craig reserved her highest praise for the graduates, noting, \u201cWe have kept our students extremely busy during the program, Almost every minute, every second was accounted for\u2026The students were able to gain a total of 2,007 clinical hours in two weeks and over 150 hours in curriculum and assessment hours in four weeks, covering such topics as anatomy, emergency and critical care, parasitology, physiology, histopathology, bacteriology, cell and tissue biology, behavior and more.\u201d  Additionally, the students completed the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine<\/strong><\/a> and the first aid certificate training in mental health, engaged in four weekly problem based learning cases and even participated in a personalized Houston Zoo virtual tour with live Q-and-A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Craig then invited one of the graduates to share her thoughts.  Giormarie Rodriguez V\u00e9lez is a participant from Puerto Rico, and described for her fellow graduates the day she received her letter of acceptance into the program.  \u201cThere I was, just like all of you.  A Puerto Rican girl, passionate about animal welfare, receiving the opportunity of a lifetime \u2013 one that would transform the way I see veterinary medicine,\u201d Giormarie explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She then shared how her initial insecurities as a participant gave way to excitement when she realized that not only had she been given the opportunity to participate, but she also was listened to with attention and interest.  \u201cNo question was considered silly or unimportant because the faculty members genuinely appreciated our interest, answered our questions, and more importantly always asked, \u201cIs it clear now, or would you like me to explain it another way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giormarie continued, \u201cWith each interaction I understood that this is inclusiveness.  I understood that this is what it feels like to be valued despite your limitations or backgrounds.\u201d  She also said she appreciated the inclusiveness she felt amongst the students, who, instead of being competitive, sought to help each other learn.  \u201cIt created an environment where empathy and encouragement had the upper hand.  There is room for all of us to shine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giormarie further explained how her clinical experience reinforced those feelings.  \u201cTo my surprise I was greeted with such enthusiasm that they made me feel like they were the lucky ones to have me instead of me to learn from them.\u201d  She added, \u201cI familiarized myself with what it really means to put down your toy doctor\u2019s coat and get into a real one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She concluded by thanking Purdue University for providing this opportunity that changed the way she looks at veterinary medicine.  \u201cThank you, on behalf of us all, for not only equipping us academically, but also for empowering us to embrace diversity, inclusion and cultural competence.  Most importantly, thank you for being an active example of all of these qualities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dean
Dean Willie Reed offered his congratulations to the Vet Up! College program graduates via video.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Craig then recognized several participants with special awards.  Congratulations to the recipients of each of these awards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model Pre-vet Student \u2013 <\/strong>recognizes a student who actively participated, demonstrated discipline, and maintained a can-do attitude in the Vet Up! College program:  Giormarie Rodriguez V\u00e9lez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic Excellence<\/strong> \u2013 recognizes the top two students who were able to represent the core values of the Vet Up College program, passing their exams with straight As while maintaining a positive attitude and achieving high standards in their efforts to increase their competency skills in veterinary medicine:  Melanie Figueroa Cordero and Kyra Holt<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Dedicated Award<\/strong> \u2013 honors a student for maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating an eagerness to learn and excel in spite of any posted challenges in the Vet Up! College program.  This award was given to the student who had to be up each day at 3:00 a.m., because she participated from Hawaii:  Tyler Bright<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another component of the program involved a Capstone Project<\/strong>.  The participants were placed in seven groups of three to engage in a research project.  Each group had to come-up with a topic and title of their choice, and complete a literature review, prepare an introduction and complete a presentation either in the form of a PowerPoint presentation or an actual abstract or research poster.  Congratulations to the winning group of Caroline Grannum, Paola Figueroa Pratts and Bryson Satterwhite<\/em>, for their project on the dairy cattle industry and its impact on climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Three
Three Vet Up! College graduates, Caroline Grannum, Paola Figueroa Pratts and Bryson Satterwhite, were recognized for submitting the winning Capstone Project, which involved choosing a research topic and making a presentation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before Dr. Craig concluded the celebration by introducing each of the 26 participants individually, Dean Reed addressed the Vet Up! College Class of 2021 by video, adding his own congratulatory remarks.  \u201cI really hope you\u2019ve had a wonderful experience,\u201d Dean Reed said.  \u201cThis program was designed to introduce you to our college, learn more about the veterinary profession, and gain more experience working in clinical setting. And also you had the opportunity to get to know some of our faculty and veterinary students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope this has influenced your dream of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine,\u201d Dean Reed continued.  \u201cI can\u2019t help but to think about years ago when I had a similar dream of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. That dream came true for me and so I want that dream to come true for you. All of you have worked so very hard\u2026And you\u2019re very close to realizing that dream.  I hope all of you will want to become Purdue Boilermakers.  We would love to see you here to pursue your dream…This is a place where dreams can and do come true.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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