Pulse - December 2024 - 14

UC DAVIS UPDATE
UC Davis Recognized
for Diversity Initiatives
Rob Warren, UC Davis VMTH Communications & Marketing Officer
UC Davis was recognized for the strides
it is making to have student enrollment more
closely resemble the overall makeup of California's
population. California is a diverse state,
but the veterinary profession generally does
not reflect the state's demographics.
The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM)
received the 2024 Health Professions Higher
Education Excellence in Diversity Award
from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the
oldest and largest diversity-focused publication
in higher education.
" We are so proud to receive this award, " said
Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of the SVM. " UC Davis
is known as one of the top veterinary programs
in the world. To obtain and maintain that recognition,
we lead with progressive, innovative,
and impactful initiatives that bring the best
students from all backgrounds to the school. "
Insight Into Diversity magazine selected
UC Davis because of its programs designed to
introduce students from low-income and rural
areas to the veterinary profession, and to create
a welcoming, supportive environment.
The school's efforts have been paying off.
In 2024, 150 students of the Class of 2028
were welcomed in the annual White Coat
Ceremony in August. A record high 58% of
the incoming class are first generation college
students with a 29% increase in Underrepresented
in Medicine (UIM) students
(Hispanic/Latino, African American, and
American Indian/Alaska Native) over last
year, making this the school's most diverse
class to date. Approximately 89% of the class
are students from California.
In addition to encouraging students from all
backgrounds to apply and become members of
the veterinary profession, UC Davis lowers the
barrier to entry by being one of the schools in
the nation graduating students with the lowest
debt. A combination of return-to-aid of tuition
and fees and a donor-funded endowment of
$120 million keeps the school affordable to all
applicants.
Additionally, UC Davis (beyond just the
14
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2028 has a record high 58% of students
being first generation college students with a 29% increase in Underrepresented in Medicine
(UIM) students.
SVM) is now eligible to be one of the nation's
few research-intensive universities designated
as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), after
fall enrollment numbers crossed the threshold
for HSI status for the first time.
Hispanic enrollment on the UC Davis campus
has reached a new peak of about 8,100
students or 25.1% of undergraduate full-timeequivalent
students, which surpasses the U.S.
Department of Education's criteria of at least
25% for HSIs. This fall's 25.1% was up from
24.6% last year.
The campus has long-sought HSI designation
to underscore its commitment to serving
Hispanic students. The status also makes the
university eligible to apply for competitive grants
from the federal government and foundations to
support student success, innovation, and institutional
transformation benefiting all students.
The SVM has many initiatives to spark
interest among middle and high school students
in underrepresented areas of the state
such as supplying outreach materials to
schools, sending ambassadors to school career
days, and creating opportunities for students to
gain hands-on experience in veterinary settings
through programs like summer camps.
There are high hopes among many that
the efforts of these programs will inspire a
new generation of diverse veterinarians. The
programs seek to empower students from
underrepresented backgrounds to apply for
veterinary school by filling gaps in knowledge
and breaking through the psychological barriers
about the application process to veterinary
school, financial resources, and more. P
" We are so proud to receive this award, " said
Dr. Mark Stetter, dean of the SVM. " UC Davis is
known as one of the top veterinary programs
in the world.
DECEMBER 2024
PULSE

Pulse - December 2024

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