Strategic Plan Update | September 2013
SVM
The Future Is All About Our Students

Dean Markel

In my previous strategic plan update, I presented Strategic Priority Three of our plan, which is focused on designing and innovating our professional curriculum. Strategic Priority Four focuses on recruiting a diverse, high-caliber population of students and supporting their success after their admission to the school. The Office of Academic Affairs will conduct its own strategic planning exercise in June 2014 to develop a series of initiatives to further enhance the diversity and talent within our applicant pool. Our efforts will include developing methods to demonstrate the benefits of veterinary medicine as a career for a diverse group of potential students across all grade levels. In addition, we will evaluate and implement a broad array of recruiting activities to enhance the richness and diversity of our pool of qualified Wisconsin applicants. The following bullets highlight our commitment to our recruitment efforts and the support of our current students: 

  • The new student orientation for the Class of 2017 included opportunities to begin conversations with fellow peers, learn about the resources available at UW-Madison and the SVM, start working together as colleagues and future professionals, and continue career exploration in veterinary medicine. The SVM partnered with current students, alumni, and representatives from the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association throughout all of the orientation activities to demonstrate the breadth and diversity of veterinary medicine.
  • As in years past, our new class is a group of unique individuals who will contribute to the future of veterinary medicine. Selected from 190 Wisconsin applicants and 1,019 nonresident applicants, these 87 new students have prepared themselves with rigorous academic coursework and varied clinical and research experiences with animals and veterinarians. Students in the first year class also contribute to the diversity of the SVM through life experiences, cultural/ethnic identities, gender, geographic backgrounds, and global travel and educational activities. OAA staff and admissions committee faculty members will continue outreach activities throughout the state to ensure that we have a diverse and high-caliber applicant pool for the DVM program in future years. Throughout this month, OAA staff are visiting many UW System campuses to connect with faculty and pre-veterinary medical students interested in learning more about admissions to the DVM program. We will build upon the outreach efforts at specific conferences, like those organized by Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, to increase exposure to veterinary medicine in underrepresented communities.  
  • In exploring ways to better support our DVM students, OAA will reach out to current students to learn more about what types of seminars and programs might be helpful to them. Initially, we will focus on better defining the role of faculty advisors and helping both advisors and students understand expectations for that advising relationship. Other topics will include career development, diversity and multicultural skills, and increased opportunities for financial literacy and business skill acquisition.
  • In an effort to learn more about mental health issues and services for veterinary medical students and the profession, Ruthanne Chun, associate dean for clinical affairs; Lynn Maki, associate dean for academic affairs; and Shelly Waller, PAWSS counselor, will participate in a national Health and Wellness Conference offered through the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. This multi-day conference will help administrators and counselors from each of the schools of veterinary medicine learn about how we can have a greater impact on the wellness and mental health of our DVM students.
  • Last, as I mentioned in a previous message, the campus has committed the resources to remodel the current solar panel area into second floor instructional and meeting space in support of our students. 

All of these efforts highlight our continued commitment to the success and future career of our veterinary medical students.

Strategic Plan Links

» Strategic Plan (web)
» Strategic Plan (print)
» Strategic Priorities and Initiatives Matrix


Important Links

» UW SVM
» UW Veterinary Care
» Give to SVM
» Message Archive


Upcoming Events

5th Annual Continuing Education Event and Tailgate
September 21, 2013
CE: 11: 30 a.m.
Tailgate: 12:30 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building

SCAVMA Annual Fall Auction and Picnic
September 27, 2013
5:00 p.m.
Veterinary Medicine Building (under overhang on north side)

World Dairy Expo
October 1-5, 2013
Alliant Energy Center

All-SVM Gathering
October 4, 2013
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
University Research Park

Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Convention
October 10-13, 2013
Alliant Energy Center

Strategic Priority Four
Recruit a Diverse and High-caliber Population of Students and Support Their Success

Executive Sponsor: Lynn Maki

Initiative A
OAA and SVM faculty to perform strategic planning exercise beginning in June 2014.

  • Proactively evaluate and engage in recruiting activities that will create and ensure a diverse and rich applicant pool of qualified Wisconsin applicants.
  • Develop a method to explain veterinary medicine as a career to a diverse group of potential students across all grade levels (grade six through undergraduates).
  • Develop ways to support our students as more of a cohort (not just as individuals).
  • Increase counseling services and general mental health support for our students.
  • Create more physical space for our students to gather in or just 'hang out.' Students need space to study and to interact.

Lead: Lynn Maki

Dean Markel

Dean Markel

Trouble viewing this email? Try viewing it on the web.

UW School of Veterinary Medicine