Winds of Change - Spring 2017 - 41

DIVERSITY

INNOVATION
DRIVEN BY
DIVERSITY
Students utilize modern
facilities at VA-MD Vet
Med's Veterinary Teaching
Hospital.

animals. That expanded exponentially
working at a veterinary hospital. I grew up in
Orange County, Calif., and worked at a local
animal hospital while I attended high school,
and later when I enrolled at a local community college. I started out walking dogs and
bathing animals, and before too long was
promoted - first to an assistant position,
then to veterinary technician. After earning
my associate's degree in biology, I transferred
to Humboldt State in Northern California.

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA-MARYLAND COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE (TOP); COURTESY OF WILL CULVER (BOTTOM)

What inspired you to pursue a veterinary
career at VA-MD Vet Med? The real

turning point for me was when I started
going to the AISES National Conference in
college and presenting research there. That's
how I met Dr. Ed Monroe from VA-MD Vet
Med. After we started talking about all the
different things I could do in veterinary
medicine, I decided to apply to VA-MD Vet
Med. And now, in addition to my coursework, I serve with Dr. Monroe on the
school's Diversity Committee.

What have you found especially valuable
about your experience at VA-MD Vet Med?

Raytheon.com
@Raytheon
Raytheon

There's an incredible support base here, which
helps students find their footing and discover
what's possible. The faculty and staff want you
to succeed, and they're here to help. It's also a
place with a high level of commitment to
diversity. For example, the Diversity Committee I serve on is dedicated to supporting and
expanding diversity at the school as well as
expanding opportunities for underrepresented
students, both current and prospective.
How do you see your career developing?

I'm on the public/corporate track at VA-MD
Vet Med. It's great preparation for me to
pursue my immediate objective, which is a
direct commission into the U.S. Army
Veterinary Corps. They do a mix of things in
the Corps, including treating civilian and
military animals, inspecting food, and carrying
out health and humanitarian missions. Later
on, I hope to open a wildlife sanctuary with
my brother, who's now pursuing the same
degree I did at Humboldt University. I also
want to work with tribes in any capacity I can
to reach out to Native youth interested in going
to veterinary school, and help them through
the same challenges I faced.
What else would you like younger
students to know about pursuing a
veterinary career? I was the first in my

Will Culver holds an osprey for
examination and treatment during his
rehabilitation externship at the Wildlife
Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, Va.
aises.org

immediate family to complete a college
degree and at first when I was applying for
college, I didn't know about a lot of
resources and opportunities that were
available. It makes a huge difference when
you have a circle of people helping you, and
students should know that resources and
support are there if you seek them out.
There's a very low percentage of Native
American veterinarians, and I would like to
see more Native Americans pursuing this
career path. I want people to know that
practicing veterinary medicine is an
attainable goal if they decide to pursue it. ■
SPRING 2017 * WINDS OF CHANGE 41

http://www.Raytheon.com http://www.aises.org

Winds of Change - Spring 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winds of Change - Spring 2017