Pre-Vet Students Supporting Diversity (PSSD) held its first general meeting Oct. 7 for the 2015-2016 academic year. President Nicole Doan shared opportunities that PSSD offers to its undergraduate members such as Knights Landing One Health Clinic, a veterinarian student mentorship program, guest speakers from animal related fields and application workshops.
Doan also spoke about what PSSD stands for.
"Our goal for PSSD is to help all students who face any barriers (socioeconomically, cultural, gender, and so much more) in the pre-veterinary path, as well as raise awareness and increase diversity in the application pool," Doan said. "We just want to help pre-vets from [any] background realize their dreams. We focus on building a community to look to for support as well. We're collaborating with different organizations and hoping to bring awesome and helpful events that are relevant to our diverse community. "
Special guest speakers included University of California Davis veterinarian student and President of the Voice Club Lisa Ma and Cross Cultural Center (CCC) Program Coordinator Fong Tran.
Tran is the head coordinator for S.o.D.A. It is an organization on campus through the CCC that allows PSSD to collaborate with 17 student organizations that share similar beliefs and missions about Diversity. As an affiliate, the CCC supports PSSD through program advising and allows the club to establish a network.
Tran also presented the 22nd annual Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Retreat (APILR). The retreat is meant to equip students with leadership skills and resources in order to make a difference in their community, current API community issues and how to apply skills to the communities. The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 2.
This is one of many resources the CCC provides. Be sure to check out their website.
PSSD is also selling the club's t-shirt. After a landslide victory, the color cardinal red was chosen. It is available to order in PSSD's store. Please note this is pre-sale only. The deadline to order shirts is Oct. 21 at 11:59 PM.
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