UC Davis receives award following record-high number of first-generation veterinary students

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With a 29% increase in its number of Underrepresented in Medicine (UIM) (Hispanic/ Latino, African American, and American Indian/Alaska Native) students, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.

The award was bestowed on UC Davis by Insight Into Diversity magazine, the longest-running and largest publication dedicated to diversity in higher education.¹ This year, UC Davis was selected as the recipient for its programs aimed at introducing students from low-income and rural areas to the veterinary profession. These programs are also designed to create a welcoming and supporting environment, which also played a factor in UC Davis’ recognition.¹

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine.¹

“We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus,” Pearlstein continued.¹

According to UC Davis, 150 students of the Class of 2028 were welcomed in its yearly White Coat Ceremony this summer. In the school’s incoming class, 58% of students are first-generation college students—a record high, according to UC Davis. Paired with a 29% increase in IUM students from last year, the record-high number of first-generation students makes this class the most diverse in the school's history.¹ According to the school, approximately 89% of the class comprises students from California.

UC Davis helps reduce barriers to entry into the veterinary profession by being one of schools in the nation with the lowest student debt at graduation, according to the school.¹ It maintains its affordability with a combination of return-to-aid for tuition and fees and a $120 million donor-funded endowment.

“We are so proud to receive this award. 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,” Mark Stetter, DVM, dean of UC Davis, said in a news release.¹

A study published by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), on 2019 admissions decisions in US veterinary colleges and schools found that first-generation students and Black students tended to apply to fewer veterinary colleges compared to their peers.² In contrast, Hispanic/Latino students were notably more likely to apply to multiple schools.²

Moreover, researchers also observed limited socioeconomic diversity among the 2018 applicants. Approximately 30% of applicants were Pell Grant recipients, and more than half indicated that they had no education debt; 70% had at least 1 parent with a college degree. Additionally, most candidates came from suburban backgrounds and planned to practice in suburban areas.²

Since then, more organizations have been taking steps to diversify the veterinary profession and make the pipeline more accessible to underrepresented young people and students.³ One such example is blendVET—the first certification program in the country aimed at training and educating veterinary professionals on topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The organization presented its first DEIB lectures in 2021 at the Fetch dvm360 conference in San Diego, California,⁴ and has since also hosted events for K-12 students from underserved communities interested in joining the veterinary profession.⁵

Still, the veterinary profession continues to be the least diverse medical profession, with approximately only 10% of veterinarians being racially diverse.⁵ Moreover, minority veterinarians also face challenges when attempting to open their own practice due to discrimination in the profession.⁶ For UIM veterinary students, they may encounter barriers to education owing to lack of mentorship and support, financial constraints, and more.⁶

References

1. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine receives Insight into Diversity 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. News release. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. October 3, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-school-veterinary-medicine-receives-insight-diversity-2024-higher-education
2. Research sheds light on diversity and bias in veterinary school admissions. Insight Into Diversity. April 16, 2021. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.insightintodiversity.com/research-sheds-light-on-diversity-and-bias-in-veterinary-school-admissions/
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. Pet hospital takes steps to diversify veterinary profession. dvm360. July 11, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/pet-hospital-takes-steps-to-diversify-veterinary-profession
4. The blendVET story. blendVET. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.blend.vet/about/story
5. Bautista-Alejandre A. Pawsibilities for students with aspirations of becoming veterinary professionals. dvm360. June 12, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/pawsibilities-for-students-with-aspirations-of-becoming-veterinary-professionals 
6. Bautista-Alejandre A. Barriers and change: Practice ownership for diverse veterinarians. dvm360. August 21, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/barriers-and-change-practice-ownership-for-diverse-veterinarians