Veterinary Students Promote Texas A&M’s DVM Program At State FFA Convention
Story by Megan Myers, CVMBS Communications
As the United States continues to grow in its need for veterinarians, introducing youth to opportunities in veterinary medicine is as important as ever.
This July, representatives from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) had the opportunity to discuss veterinary education and careers with hundreds of high school students interested in animals and agriculture at Texas’ 94th State FFA Convention in Fort Worth.
The group was led by Dr. Glennon Mays, the director of Recruiting & Student Services for the VMBS’ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Professional Program, and included second-year veterinary students Christina Ford, Elizabeth Gibbs, and Thao Pham as well as third-year veterinary students Bailey Bach and Marissa Tate.
“I went to the FFA conference for the second year in a row because we have the ability to reach hundreds of students,” Tate said. “A lot of these high school students are interested in veterinary medicine but don’t feel like they have what it takes to get there.
“I spent a lot of my time encouraging the students and trying to let them know that even though the prerequisites and requirements look like a lot on paper, they’re already making huge strides by participating in FFA,” Tate said. “There were also students who had a detailed plan in mind for getting into veterinary school, and it was so fun to hear what all they were planning to accomplish once they got there.”
This year’s FFA Convention had the highest-ever recorded attendance, with more than 15,000 high school students and guests.
“We were overrun with hundreds of students—literally, hundreds—throughout our two-day interaction,” Mays said. “Our DVM students stepped up and stepped out to greet and address questions from our visitors of all ages. The high school students were especially interested in hearing from students actually in our program.”
This was the third year that Mays attended the State FFA Convention to meet with potential students.
“It made sense to visit with high school students, especially those associated with agricultural education, about the veterinary profession and, specifically, about our DVM program,” he said. “Student visits ranged from three to five individuals at a time to small herds collectively moving through the exhibit hall. Frequently, I spoke with students immediately in front of me while other student groups—three or four deep—leaned forward to eavesdrop on the conversation.”
The event also provided the opportunity to meet with academic advisers, teachers, parents, and representatives from other universities who would benefit from learning about the VMBS.
“Interestingly, a few parents stopped to excitedly share with me their son/daughter’s acceptance into our program or comment on the excellent education their son/daughter received and where they’re now located since graduating,” Mays said. “Our program’s presence was extremely well embraced.”
Grade-schoolers, high schoolers, and undergraduate students interested in studying veterinary medicine at Texas A&M can learn more at futureaggievet.tamu.edu.
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For more information about the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
