Growing up, Nhi Tran never encountered any veterinarians who looked like her. Similarly, she didn’t know of any first-generation veterinarians.

As a second-year DVM student at the College of Veterinary Medicine, she plans to fill both roles when she graduates and be an example for others. 

“My goal is to become a role model and mentor for first-generation college and veterinary students,” she says. “Our community is so diverse and thus needs diverse leadership and representation.”

Tran will have support in that goal. She was recently accepted into the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program. The program recognizes second-year veterinary students from underserved groups who have shown an interest in and affinity for growing leadership capabilities. Individuals selected for the program receive financial assistance as well as resources to support them through their final years of veterinary school and into the next phase of their careers.

Through the program, Tran and her 14 cohorts will have mentorship, leadership training, and career development opportunities. It also provides a $20,000 scholarship facilitated by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

“I felt the program would be an excellent opportunity to connect with other veterinary students, build community, and improve my leadership skills,” Tran says. “ Academically, the scholarship will allow me to spend more time on my studies along with externships, conferences and other opportunities.”

By collaborating with fellow program participants, she hopes they can provide a better experience at their home colleges and for their classmates. 

At CVM, Tran is involved in several student organizations. She is the event coordinator for the student chapter of the Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals, through which she seeks to provide her classmates with opportunities to learn more about Asian American culture and its impact on veterinary medicine.

She also is the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Student American Veterinary Medical Association chapter. In this role, she coordinates with the committee to gather input with the goal of putting on events that support classmates.

Tran is an active member of the Zoo, Exotic, Aquatic, and Wildlife Medicine Club. Her long-term goal is to pursue zoo and aquarium medicine, so the opportunity for continuing education, developing interests, and honing skills is vital to achieving it. 

Her experiences at CVM forged a path to Chewy Leaders, and Tran looks forward to the possibilities that participating in the program holds. 

“I am very grateful and happy for this opportunity that Chewy and AAVMC have provided,” Tran says. “I hope that by participating in this program that first-generation and Asian American students can see that they have a place in veterinary medicine as well.”