BATON ROUGE - LSUA has announced an exciting new partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine aimed at advancing expertise in rural and agricultural veterinary practices. This new agreement introduces an early admission pathway for LSUA graduates aiming to specialize in rural, agricultural, or livestock medicine.
The initiative is designed to cultivate a dedicated pipeline of veterinarians through enhanced early educational experiences, aimed particularly at supporting the food animal and production medicine sectors. Up to ten LSUA gradutates per year will have the opportunity to gain early admission to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria focused on rural and agricultural commitment.
Paul Coreil, Chancellor of LSUA, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership not only bridges our institutions but also fortifies the future of veterinary medicine in rural settings. We are excited to offer our students such profound opportunities for growth in a profession that is in high demand.”
Objectives of the Partnership
The program is meticulously designed to cultivate a dedicated group of students deeply interested in rural, agricultural, and livestock medicine. By enhancing student exposure to food animal and production medicine through a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum, the initiative aims to lay a strong educational foundation. Additionally, it establishes a structured, collaborative mentorship program that includes the LSU College of Agriculture or Pre-Vet Program, the LSU AgCenter, and the School of Veterinary Medicine. Ultimately, the partnership seeks to nurture future leaders and ambassadors for the LSU College of Agriculture, LSUA, and the School of Veterinary Medicine, thereby fostering significant contributions to these fields.
Eligibility and Application Details
Prospective participants must be high school seniors actively involved in FFA or 4-H programs and residents of rural Louisiana. Candidates should demonstrate significant hands-on experience with food animals, veterinary medicine, or production medicine and be interested in pursuing a career in rural animal medicine or food animal production medicine. Additional application requirements and materials will be detailed on the LSUA admissions page.
Nate Sammons, Dean of the LSUA College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, highlighted the partnership's benefits: “Students in 4-H and FFA exemplify the leadership qualities we nurture at LSUA, and their experiences in these programs align perfectly with our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.”
Oliver Garden, Dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, noted, “There is a dire shortage of veterinarians in some rural areas in Louisiana, and we want to help solve that problem. One step in that direction is developing these pipeline programs, and we are thrilled that we now have this partnership with LSUA.”
This exciting development promises to open new horizons for students at LSUA, paving the way towards a fulfilling and impactful career in veterinary medicine. For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit www.lsua.edu.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish