ABOUT The OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS (OSA)

College of Veterinary Medicine

About us

Founded as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers through the passage of Alabama House Bill 165 on July 4, 1881, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ traces its modest beginnings to a one room shanty located near Butler's Chapel AME Zion Church. Under Washington's leadership, however, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (as of 18 93) soon rose to national prominence. Marked by more than a century of tradition since its founding thro ugh the efforts of former slave Lewis Adams and former slave owner George W Camp bell, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ today is known for being among the nation's premier historically black colleges and universities HBCUs, and for its openness to all. Its mission remains service to people, not merely education for its own sake. Stressing the need to educate the whole person, that is, the hand and the heart as well as the mind, founding principal Booker T. Washington's new school was soon acclaimed first by Alabama and then by the nation for the soundness and vigor of its educational programs and principles. As one of the University’s esteemed colleges, the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) is recognized the most diverse veterinary medicine college in the nation.

The TUCVM is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. The TUCVM has educated over 70% of the nation's African American veterinarians, and is recognized as the most diverse of all schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. The primary mission of the TUCVM is to provide an environment that fosters a spirit of active, independent, and self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, and leadership; and promotes teaching, research and service in veterinary medicine and related disciplines.

One of the flagship TUCVM student-success driven programs is the TUCVM (web-based) Professional Mentoring Program. In 2021, the TUCVM Professional Mentoring program was founded by Dean Ruby L. Perry, DVM and the eighth Dean of the TUCVM. Dean Perry is the first female Dean of the College. Dr. Perry has served as a strong mentor and a role model over the years for many veterinary students, faculty and staff and her vision and forward thinking in designing and implementing a web-based Professional Mentoring Program is a testament to her commitment to student success. The program description and goals of the TUCVM (web based) Mentoring Program are listed below:

Program Description:

The aim of TUCVM Mentoring Program is to assist with the success of TUCVM students. This goal will be achieved by leveraging alumni expertise to promote success via enhanced student/alumni engagement. The TUCVM Professional Mentoring Program seeks to positively impact the mental and educational wellbeing of the students enrolled in the TUCVM by increasing student success and improving student outcomes.

Program Goals:

• *To assign a mentor to each veterinary student at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ
• *To support TUCVM students in developing their personal and professional networks with TUCVM alumni, faculty, and industry partners
• *To provide a space for TUCVM students to seek academic assistance, explore professional goals, career interest, and workplace preferences
• *To help TUCVM students gain an appreciation for mentoring as a personal and professional development tool
• *To provide a meaningful opportunity for alumni, faculty and industry partners to connect with TUCVM students around life, career, and professional experiences, and
• *To inspire alumni, faculty, industry partners and others to strengthen their relationship with and support of the TUCVM

Student Clubs and Organizations

The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ College of Veterinary Medicine hosts many different groups that cater to our students’ individual interests and professional goals. These clubs and organizations provide our students knowledge and experience in specialized areas outside of their extensive veterinary curriculum, as well as network with peers, professionals and mentors who support their growth in their chosen fields. View the complete list of student clubs and organizations at the college.

White Coat Ceremony (click here)

The annual White Coat Ceremony is symbolic of the college’s medical program and the success of our DVM students as they move forward in their education. The ceremony honors the transition of professional students moving from classroom and laboratory education (first- and second-year students) to clinical education (third- and fourth-year students).

Student Support Services at the College

All activities associated with students in the professional degree program are coordinated through the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êͼ¹ÒÅÆ College of Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Student Affairs. The following list contains examples of activities coordinated through the Office of Student Affairs.

• Assistance with financial aid, obtaining medical insurance, and access to medical care. While these services are provided by other University departments, or sources outside the University, the Office of Student Affairs actively assists veterinary medical students needing these services.
• During the transition into the first year of the DVM curriculum, entering professional students take part in orientation led by the CVM Office of Admissions and Recruitment, faculty, staff, alumni and accomplished professional students. This on-site orientation includes sessions focused on professional relationships, learning resources, effective use of educational technology, understanding learning preferences, personal management of financial challenges, team building, stress and wellness, and an introduction to college clubs and activities. Students are encouraged to become involved in the peer tutoring and mentorship programs.
• The CVM facilitates activities of clubs and organizations to promote professional and personal advancement of students.
• The CVM seeks to maintains a full-time, embedded counselor/psychologist who meets with students individually and in group sessions to address student needs.
• The CVM maintains a financial counselor/instructor who meets with students individually and in group sessions to address student concerns about management of educational indebtedness.
• Assistance for students with disabilities is provided by the Office of ADA Compliance
• In unique situations, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs seeks involvement from TU Student Counseling Services, the Alabama Veterinary Professionals Wellness Program, local veterinary practice owners, members of the college Alumni Advisory Council, and recent alumni to optimally assist students.
• Faculty are actively involved in providing advice and assistance to students in externship and preceptorship selection.
• The CVM maintains a Professional Mentoring Program administrator to assist students in connecting with faculty or alumni focused in various career areas as they seek employment upon graduation.