January 2011 Issue 2
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News From the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Greetings!
This ebulletin brings important news about the Veterinary Educator Collaborative (VEC), our upcoming conference, and other AAVMC initiatives, such as the student Career Fair and the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium's (NAVMEC) report on the future of veterinary medical education.
It's a critical question: Can enrollments keep up with the future need for highly qualified veterinarians? Get the big picture and find out first-hand what's happening with student enrollment and the applicant pool during the Admissions Workshop at our Annual Conference, March 10 - 13, in historic Alexandria, Virginia.
If you plan to attend, don't miss out on the $50 discount that's available to those who register by Friday, Feb. 11. Register now.
The conference represents a great opportunity to network, hone your leadership skills, tackle important issues and meet with members of Congress on issues of importance to veterinary medical education and the veterinary medical profession as a whole.
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Veterinary Educator Collaborative Shares Expertise, Generates Enthusiastic Response
The positive effects of last fall's AAVMC Veterinary Educator Collaborative (VEC) Symposium continue, as participants bring their energy and ideas back to their respective institutions and implement what experts and colleagues shared on the theme of "Making the Most of Teaching Time." The VEC facilitates sharing educational resources and materials among AAVMC members. The symposium featured sessions on topics such as "How People Learn (and why it matters to your teaching)" and an address by keynote speaker Dr. Jeanette Norden on "Motivating Professional Students in the Classroom." The symposium, organized by Dr. India Lane from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the approximately 130 attendees, who described it as "motivating" and "a real treat."
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Conference to Focus on Diversity, Leadership, and the Challenges to Initiating Change
The 2011 AAVMC Annual Conference will feature an in-depth look at the leadership skills necessary to initiate diversity-related change in education and in the veterinary medical profession as a whole. A key focus of the conference will be the 18th Iverson Bell Symposium, March 11 and 12, which recognizes the outstanding leadership and promotion of diversity in veterinary medicine by the late Iverson Bell, DVM.
The symposium, centered on the theme of "Culture, Climate, and the Curriculum: The Cornerstones of Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century," will cover ways to improve and enhance an inclusive campus climate and ways to infuse diversity into the DVM curriculum.
In addition, the conference will feature the latest academic research, a president's reception, congressional visits, an admissions workshop on applicant trends, and more. Held at the Westin Alexandria Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, (adjacent to Washington, DC), the conference is geared to academic deans and faculty, veterinary professionals, students, or others interested in topics such as diversity, curriculum development, and developing leadership skills within the context of veterinary medicine. On March 13, award-winning Georgetown University Professor Robert Bies will host a half-day leadership seminar on "Leading Change: Diversity and Risk Communications in Veterinary Colleges." Bies will conduct two interactive sessions with discussions based on real examples provided by veterinary college deans, who will also provide feedback and recommendations. Register for the conference before Friday, February 11 to receive the $50 discounted rate of $550. Special $125 early registration rates apply for veterinary students. Discounted room rates are also available at the Westin by calling 703-253-8600 and reserving a room before February 16. Register online at www.aavmc.org/FutureMeetings.htm or contact Matt Grogg at 202-371-9195, ext. 110, email mgrogg@aavmc.org. Please remember that hotel reservations for the Westin Alexandria must be made separately through the hotel.
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Admissions Workshop Looks at the New GRE, Accommodating Special Needs and Applicant Data Trends
Interpret the latest applicant trends, find out what you need to know to accommodate students with special needs, and discover everything you need to know about the revised GRE General Test during the annual conference's Admissions Workshop.
"Student Accommodations in Vet School: How to Position Students with Special Needs to Succeed," will feature a comprehensive student accommodations program created by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) that covers learning disabilities, impairments (visual, hearing and mobility) and psychological challenges. This highly relevant program, appropriate for all the health professions schools, will address key student needs, such as ADHA, learning disabilities, and mobility and hearing impairments, as well as program implementation and legal implications.
Speaker: Dr. John Hosterman, Director of Test Accommodations, American Council on Education
Are you and your applicants ready for the new GRE General Test coming in August 2011? Find out when GRE program staff provide an overview of the exciting changes, review the new score scale and score report, discuss important timing considerations, and present the array of resources to help prepare you and your applicants.
Speaker: Ms. Anne-Marie Stephenson, Executive Director, Educational Testing Services
Also, take an in-depth look at the latest applicant data, trends, and what it all means in "How Deep Must We Dive?"
Speaker: Lisa Greenhill, Associate Executive Director for Institutional Research and Diversity, AAVMC
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Coming Soon: Be on the lookout for our new website!
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Let Your Voice Be Heard on the Future of Veterinary Medical Education
Just Announced:
The deadline for submitting feedback on the draft report of The North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium (NAVMEC) has been extended to May 1.
The report, "Roadmap for Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century: Responsive, Collaborative, Flexible," outlines how to forge an economically sustainable future for veterinary medical education and prepare graduates with the core competencies required to meet society's evolving needs.
Veterinary medical education stakeholders are invited to provide feedback through an online survey, webinars and "town hall" meetings at major veterinary conferences.
Go online to view the report and let your voice be heard.
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Cultivate Future Students and Practitioners at the AAVMC Career Fair
Join a Veterinary Medical Career Fair and Information Session at the AAVMC Annual Conference, on Sunday, March 13 from 2:30 -- 5 p.m.
Students from junior high and high schools, colleges and universities are invited to attend information sessions on veterinary medicine as a unique science career path, as well as visit exhibits in our exhibit hall. This is a great opportunity for AAVMC members and their alumni to promote summer enrichment programs and other opportunities available to high school and college students contemplating a career in veterinary medicine. Additionally, this is a special chance for undergraduate institutions to promote their pre-veterinary program.
Tables will fill up fast, so register early to obtain a table in your preferred area!
We hope you will join us in highlighting the diversity of the opportunities available to students interested in a career in veterinary medicine. Recruitment of future veterinary students is essential to the health and well-being of the veterinary profession!
Register online by March 1 by visiting www.aavmc.org or contact: Lisa Greenhill at 202-371-9195 ext. 147.
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Extracurricular: Things to do While Out and About at Conference
If you're an opera fan, the Washington National Opera will feature "Madama Butterfly" one of the world's most beloved operas, during the conference. The production is just a short Metro or taxi ride from Alexandria. Learn more. And you won't need to travel far to enjoy a live flamenco show at La Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant, 607 King St. in Alexandria, "a careful blend of everything about Spain," featuring Spanish cuisine and wine. The restaurant offers a free flamenco show every Friday night.
Plus, don't forget that admission to all of the spectacular Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC, is free, including the Air and Space Museum, National History Museum, and the National Zoo. Don't miss out on the conference discount. Register now.
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