Partnership ties A&T's Lab Animal Science with NCSU Vet School

May 14, 1997

Greensboro, NC: Select students in North Carolina A&T State University's Laboratory Animal Science Program will be tracked for eventual enrollment in North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, as part of an agreement recently signed by officials from both institutions.

The interinstitutional agreement aims to increase minority presence in veterinary medicine by guiding qualified undergraduates from A&T into NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Starting this fall, the Laboratory Animal Scholars Program will accept two students from A&T's Laboratory Animal Science Program. Selection of these students will be based on academic performance and an application process which entails approval by officials from both institutions.

"The program will be of great benefit to the accepted students, particularly because it is designed to provide opportunities for meaningful summer internships," said Dr. Tracy Hanner, DVM, coordinator of the A&T Laboratory Animal Science Program. "In this way, before these students even begin veterinary school, they will have significant experience working with animals."

According to Hanner, through these internships and other interinstitutional programs, the Laboratory Animal Scholars Program will track students through their undergraduate study and help them familiarize themselves with the field of veterinary medicine and the demands of veterinary school.

"Students still must meet all the admission criteria of both programs," said Hanner. "We just want to facilitate their career decisions and the application process for veterinary school. If we can accomplish these goals, we feel that we can do much to increase minority presence in the field of veterinary medicine."

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For more information, please contact Dr. Tracy Hanner, NC A&T Department of Animal Science, (336) 334-7720.