New K-State scholarship supports rural and underrepresented veterinary medicine students
Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
MANHATTAN — A new scholarship program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University will help address shortages of rural veterinarians while increasing overall access to veterinary education.
The college recently received a nearly $250,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or NIFA, to create the Rural and Underrepresented Scholarship for Hopeful Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Students, or RUSH DVM, program.
"With these scholarships, we can recruit, engage, retain, mentor and train committed underrepresented scholars resulting in DVM degrees at K-State College of Veterinary Medicine," said Callie Rost, associate dean of admissions. "This program will contribute to the reduction of the disparity among underrepresented and underserved populations entering the DVM program, which will better reflect U.S. demographics and help the U.S. remain globally competitive as a leader in animal health and food production."
Rost said the scholarship also promotes student success within the food and agricultural disciplines at the professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine level.
The grant was funded through NIFA's Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program, which aims to increase the diversity of the food and agricultural workforce and to advance education achievement by providing competitive grants to higher learning institutions.
Through the four-year DVM program, Rost said enrolled students will develop critical thinking and communication skills, grow in leadership skills, and work within the ethical and professional standards expected in the field of veterinary medicine.
"Mentoring and shadowing opportunities will be made available to participants as well as opportunities for outreach and training," Rost said. "Students participating in the RUSH DVM program will graduate with a lower debt load, and the program will foster economic opportunity in their futures."
The RUSH DVM program will provide scholarships starting in 2024 through 2027.
