Project Grant 20243841341462

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE RUSH DVM (RURAL AND UNDER-REPRESENTED SCHOLARSHIP FOR HOPEFULDVM STUDENTS) PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO RECRUIT, ENGAGE, RETAIN, MENTOR AND TRAINCOMMITTED UNDERREPRESENTED SCHOLARS RESULTING IN DVM DEGREES AT K-STATE COLLEGE OF VETERINARYMEDICINE (PROGRAM AREA MSP, DISCIPLINE CODES V AND N). STUDENTS ENTERING THE VETERINARYPROFESSION IN THE U.S. ARE WHITE (76.5%) FEMALES (83.2%) FROM SUBURBAN SETTING (49.3%).UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS INCLUDE STUDENTS OF COLOR, MALE STUDENTS AND THOSE FROM RURALBACKGROUNDS. THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE REDUCTION OF THE DISPARITY AMONGUNDERREPRESENTED AND UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS ENTERING THE DVM PROGRAM TO BETTER REFLECT THE U. S.DEMOGRAPHICS AND REMAIN GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AS A LEADER IN ANIMAL HEALTH AND FOOD PRODUCTION. THESCHOLARSHIP WILL PROMOTE STUDENT SUCCESS WITHIN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL DISCIPLINES AT THE PROFESSIONALDVM LEVEL. THROUGH THE 4 YEAR DVM PROGRAM, ENROLLED STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING ANDCOMMUNICATION SKILLS, GROW IN LEADERSHIPS SKILLS AND WORK WITHIN THE ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONALSTANDARDS EXPECTED IN THE FIELD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. MENTORING AND SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES WILLBE MADE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTREACH AND TRAINING. STUDENTSPARTICIPATING IN THE RUSH DVM PROGRAM WILL GRADUATE WITH A LOWER DEBT LOAD AND THE PROGRAM WILLFOSTER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN THEIR FUTURES.THE ADDITION OF THE SPECIAL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (SEL) FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED FOR LIVINGEXPENSES, TRAVEL EXPENSES, ADDITIONAL TUITION AND/OR A CASH STIPEND FOR SEL-SUPPORTED SCHOLARSWILL ALLOW RECIPIENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZE THEIREXPERIENCES.