Three poultry professionals have received scholarship awards from the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council (MTRPC) to advance their education and careers. 

Michele Heveron, Jill Nezworski '02 DVM, and Ryan Schueler have each been selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship from the council to the University of Minnesota Poultry Health Certificate Program (PHCP). Part of the mission of the MTRPC is to discover and share healthy practices with its members and consumers. The MTRPC believes the certificate program is a worthwhile educational opportunity for turkey growers and industry partners.

Facilitated through a partnership between the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Sciences, the Poultry Health Certificate is a 12-credit graduate program offered online for poultry professionals and students seeking to elevate their careers. The program has flexible learning opportunities for professionals already in the poultry industry and for those looking to join it.

The program is a great fit for Heveron, who has worked as a quality assurance supervisor in live production at Jennie-O for the past seven years. It’s the latest chapter in a long career working in animal medicine. Becoming a certified veterinary technician in 1994, Heveron worked in veterinary clinics until joining Jennie-O in research and development in 2006. Before moving into quality assurance, Heveron completed a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a double minor in food science and business. 

“I decided to pursue the Poultry Health Certificate and will possibly consider completing the master’s program after that,” she says. “I am excited to use what I learn to continue to help me focus on poultry welfare and management at Jennie-O.”

Poultry medicine has been an integral part of Nezworski’s career path since graduating from CVM in 2002. Since 2010, she has run her own poultry-exclusive practice in Buffalo Lake, Minn. The practice includes a diagnostic laboratory that supports poultry producers across the United States. Prior to founding her practice, Nezworski spent time in swine and cattle medicine. She also spent four years working at Michael Foods, where she focused on quality assurance and managing pullet and lay farms. 

“My passion for veterinary medicine and commitment to poultry health drive our mission to provide top-notch care and innovative solutions for our clients,” she says. “I am excited about working on the poultry certificate with the aim of pursuing a master’s degree, which I believe will enhance the services we offer and further benefit our clients.”

Schueler has been involved in turkey production for more than a decade, working for Gorans Brothers since 2012. Starting out as a building and maintenance worker, Schueler quickly showed his enthusiasm to work and learn, taking on additional roles when asked. Currently, he supervises one of the Gorans Brothers' turkey sites. The PHCP will provide Schueler with the necessary skills to move up into a management role within the organization.

“I am excited to watch him expand his knowledge in the poultry industry and be a future leader in the industry,” says Dustin Marker, president of Gorans Brothers. 

This is the second year the MTRPC has funded this scholarship program. The goal is to encourage and offer a path to individuals who would like to increase their knowledge of the poultry industry, further their careers, and advance the success of the industry in Minnesota. During the selection process, priority is given to individuals who are active or plan to be active in the turkey industry specifically. 

Click here for more information about the Poultry Health Certificate Program and scholarship opportunities.