AAVMC NEWS
A conversation on women’s leadership in Vet Med. Courtesy AAVMC, Vet-Med Educator
Congratulations on your appointment as President! Could you please share a bit about your professional and educational journey that led you here?
Tank you, I am honored to have been given this opportunity and trust from my colleagues to be the first African American woman to hold the president’s position at the AAVMC. I became interested in animals as a career choice when I had to work my way through college as an undergraduate at Jackson State Univer- sity, and I was fortunate to find a job with a veterinarian as a kennel worker cleaning cages. Tis veterinar- ian, Dr. Roland Powell became a mentor and changed my journey from wanting to be a mathematician to becoming a veterinarian. He introduced me to the fascinating world of veterinary medicine, and I started planning for a journey toward a fascinating veterinary career. Being a graduate from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, he encouraged me to attend his alma mater. I wanted to be a part of such a rich history at Tuskegee University, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Animal and Poultry Science and my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
I often reflect on the lack of awareness of veterinary medicine as a career choice and emphasize the impor- tance of the introduction of our veterinary profession early in the lives of children. Here, for me I was not aware of such a wonderful career until I was in college.
I completed a small animal internship at Tuskegee University and then a radiology residency at Michigan State University where I also received the M.S. degree in Microbiology. Incidentally, another Tuskegee veterinary alumnus inspired me and played a major role in my journey towards a specialty in veterinary radiology and that was Dr. Ellis M. Hall, who served as the first African American Diplomate in the Amer- ican College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR). As a result of his guidance, I too specialized in this area and became the first African American female board-certified radiologist. Both of us are Tuskegee University graduates.
During the early years of my career, I began my journey on faculty as assistant professor of veterinary ra- diology at Tuskegee University and progressed through the promotion process and achieved tenure status. While at Tuskegee University, I served in several leadership positions including acting department head, faculty senate, and interim chief of staff. I was recruited back to Michigan State University as assistant professor of veterinary radiology and again worked my way through the promotion and tenure process and earned tenure as an associate professor of veterinary radiology. While on faculty at Michigan State for about 20 years, I also served as section chief of veterinary radiology.
In 2007, I was recruited back to Tuskegee University as the associate dean for academic affairs. During this segment of my academic journey, I decided to remain in academia and expanded my education with the PhD degree in Educational Leadership, and served as vice-provost of undergraduate education. I’ve had many years in academia at both Tuskegee University and Michigan State University, but it was my return to Tuskegee in 2007 in the College of Veterinary Medicine which eventually led me to being appointed the veterinary college’s first female dean in 2015.
What are some of your plans/goals as President?
My plan is to continue the momentum set by the AAVMC Executive Board to keep our strategic plan in front of us so that we can achieve the goals already in place. Te veterinary profession and veterinary med- ical education must continue to change to meet societal needs and our strategic plan is a “solid” blueprint
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