Who We Are
Esmeralda Cano established the Pre-vet Students Supporting Diversity (PSSD) during the winter quarter of 2011. Cano joined the Graduate Academic Achievement and Advocacy Program (GAAAP) and discussed her goals with a dual-degree, UC Davis veterinary student. After realizing how much her mentor supported and provided resources for her, she was inspired to create a program for pre-veterinary undergraduates and veterinary students. Cano saw that the needs of other students, especially those from disadvantaged communities, were not being met and thus created PSSD to help close the gap she saw in the lack of mentorship, support and resources for these students.
Cano designed PSSD to support students from underrepresented/disadvantaged communities pursuing careers in veterinary medicine by providing resources needed for further enhancing their preparation for veterinary school. She sought to increase diversity in the veterinary field by providing a support system, mentorship and other resources for pre-veterinary students at UC Davis who have faced barriers leading to higher education.
In 2014, PSSD became an affiliate of the Cross Cultural Center (CCC) by serving on the Students of Diverse Affiliations Council (S.o.D.A). It is a council of registered student organizations at UC Davis that aims to bring awareness to social justice and diversity work/efforts on campus through various collaborative events and workshops. Currently, PSSD is still an active affiliate.
Underneath 2015-2016 President Nicole Doan, PSSD flourished. It was under her leadership that PSSD continued to grow and reached an overwhelming number of 150 new members.
Winter quarter of 2021, PSSD launched for the first time the virtual PSSD High School Mentorship Program under the coordination and direction of Trisha Zarinana and Kimberly Aguirre, the president and internal relations coordinator of that year (respectively). Trisha and Kimberly believed that we must start outreach efforts while students are in high school, so that they can be exposed to the veterinary field sooner and prepare early on if they decide they want to pursue this career in the future. They hoped that through these efforts and by providing representation, more students of color and first generation students would be motivated to pursue higher education and hopefully go on to successful careers in veterinary medicine.
Cano designed PSSD to support students from underrepresented/disadvantaged communities pursuing careers in veterinary medicine by providing resources needed for further enhancing their preparation for veterinary school. She sought to increase diversity in the veterinary field by providing a support system, mentorship and other resources for pre-veterinary students at UC Davis who have faced barriers leading to higher education.
In 2014, PSSD became an affiliate of the Cross Cultural Center (CCC) by serving on the Students of Diverse Affiliations Council (S.o.D.A). It is a council of registered student organizations at UC Davis that aims to bring awareness to social justice and diversity work/efforts on campus through various collaborative events and workshops. Currently, PSSD is still an active affiliate.
Underneath 2015-2016 President Nicole Doan, PSSD flourished. It was under her leadership that PSSD continued to grow and reached an overwhelming number of 150 new members.
Winter quarter of 2021, PSSD launched for the first time the virtual PSSD High School Mentorship Program under the coordination and direction of Trisha Zarinana and Kimberly Aguirre, the president and internal relations coordinator of that year (respectively). Trisha and Kimberly believed that we must start outreach efforts while students are in high school, so that they can be exposed to the veterinary field sooner and prepare early on if they decide they want to pursue this career in the future. They hoped that through these efforts and by providing representation, more students of color and first generation students would be motivated to pursue higher education and hopefully go on to successful careers in veterinary medicine.
What Diversity means to Us
MICHELLE LEDEZMA
PSSD CLUB MEMBER MAJOR: ANIMAL SCIENCE YEAR: SOPHOMORE "Diversity to me signifies a community that isn't identical. Each person is different, unique, coming from different backgrounds and holding different contributions to society. Though people together may compose a diverse environment, each person has their own path, their own destination to arrive. The way in how they get their molds them into the person they transform into. That helps engender diversity. It's people with different mindset contributing their ideas and potentially creating an environment and society that isn't a copy of ideas. Different environments, and different backgrounds and mindsets together help create something meaningful, something unique that most people cannot attain. Diversity should challenge people to not only to be tolerant of others, but to try to learn from them and all different walks of life."
YASMINE VALJALO
PSSD CLUB MEMBER MAJOR: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE YEAR: SOPHOMORE "Inclusivity, Equity, Equal Opportunity, lifting up the marginalized, and breaking down stereotypes which feed into narrow-mindedness."
|
SELDY NELSON
PSSD CLUB MEMBER MAJOR: ANIMAL BIOLOGY YEAR: SENIOR "To me diversity means interacting with a variety people different from yourself in terms of background, gender, culture, ethnicity, experiences, academics, and passions. I think diversity is crucial to growth and recognizing weaknesses and strengths. I think diversity also allows us to become more open and aware about each person's privileges. Recognizing my privileges helps me respect, listen, and understand others' experiences to see their perspective and learn. Overall I think advancements and creativity is inspired by interacting with a variety of people and sharing different ideas, which is another reason why diversity is so important."
|