The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s program named Vet Up!® The National Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine has received the 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine – the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.  

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  Vet Up!® The National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine received the award because of its long-term goal of diversifying the veterinarian-scientist workforce, which is currently over 90% White. The college is featured, along with 49 other recipients, in the September 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“Vet Up! enables us to expand the influence of our creative approaches to improving the diversity of the veterinary profession,” said Dr. Sandy San Miguel, PVM associate dean for engagement and program co-leader with Dr. Latonia Craig, PVM assistant dean for diversity and inclusion. “We have assembled an amazing team of collaborators and look forward to what we can accomplish through this new National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine,” Dr. San Miguel said.

Funded by a $3.18 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Vet Up! is designed to expand access to the veterinary profession for talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and address the need for more veterinarians serving rural areas and protecting food safety. The goal of the program is to fill veterinary shortage areas with equity-minded individuals from underrepresented populations and rural areas.

The Vet Up! National Academy consists of three programs with a competitive selection process for admissions:

• Vet Up! Champions is a yearlong program to prepare high school students, working adults, and undergraduate students to attain their next level of education on the path toward a veterinary medical degree.

• Vet Up! College is a summer immersion program to prepare undergraduate students to competitively apply to a veterinary medical degree (DVM) program.

• Vet Up! DVM Scholars supports Purdue veterinary medical students throughout their professional degree program and prepares them for careers in veterinary shortage areas.