ERIC Number: EJ1474380
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2325-4009
EISSN: EISSN-2325-4017
Available Date: 0000-00-00
How a College Course Benefits Under-Resourced High Schoolers Interested in Veterinary Medicine
Gwendolyn R. Svenson; Olivia Arnold; Patricia Vigil; Naomi Nishi; Christianne Magee
Journal of Youth Development, v20 n2 Article 9 p94-112 2025
The Veterinary Perspectives Institute (VPI) was designed to address the challenges faced by underrepresented youth who are interested in veterinary medicine. This study examines the VPI, a tuition-free program that introduces students from under-resourced high schools to veterinary medicine and One Health through a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach. The VPI integrates One Health concepts by linking human, animal, and environmental health in the context of veterinary medicine. The program's aim is to foster college readiness and career exploration in veterinary and biomedical fields, while also addressing barriers to diversity in veterinary medicine. Through hands-on learning and case studies in One Health, students gain exposure to STEM topics like anatomy, microbiology, and epidemiology. The program addresses systemic barriers such as limited animal exposure and lack of mentorship by pairing students with university mentors from diverse backgrounds who guide them in building academic portfolios and developing professional skills. The program also emphasizes financial literacy, mental health, and work-life balance, providing students with the tools to navigate future challenges. Daily "community circles" foster socio-emotional growth, resilience, and belonging, helping students confront impostor syndrome. Program outcomes, assessed through pre- and post-surveys, show increased awareness of educational pathways and One Health concepts. While some participants reconsidered careers in veterinary medicine, the program successfully cultivated a college-going mindset and interest in STEM careers. By combining mentorship, transdisciplinary learning, and community building, the VPI offers a replicable model to address diversity gaps in veterinary medicine and inspire a new generation of professionals grounded in the One Health framework.
Descriptors: High School Students, Disadvantaged, Veterinary Medicine, Biomedicine, Interdisciplinary Approach, College Readiness, Career Readiness, STEM Education, Barriers, Mentors, Financial Literacy, Mental Health, Program Effectiveness, College School Cooperation, Program Design, Student Attitudes
Clemson University Press. 116 Sigma Drive, Clemson, SC 29634. Tel: 864-656-2278; e-mail: cupress@clemson.edu; Web site: www.clemson.edu/press
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California; Wyoming; Nevada; Colorado; New York; Puerto Rico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A