NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture is making strides to enhance educational opportunities and strengthen the state’s agricultural sector by hiring an in-house veterinarian. The initiative, still in its early stages, aims to hire a licensed veterinarian within the next 18 months. This effort will benefit TSU animal science students, the agriculture community and Tennessee’s economy.

The decision to hire an in-house veterinarian aligns with mirroring the university’s demographics and supporting its pre-veterinary students. Cameron Walker, a junior at TSU studying pre-vet, noted the value of this new addition for students like himself.

“Having somebody that went through the process and that can give you tips on what to do and how to get through vet school would be great to have first-hand,” Walker said. “For an HBCU to have a vet in-house is great. It’ll motivate us to keep pushing because we’re not the only ones trying.” Walker is currently an intern at the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program, located on a Central Kentucky horse farm.

After college, Walker will be applying for veterinarian school with a long-term goal of becoming a surgeon.

Niarra Anthony, a senior who works with goats, chickens, cows, and more on TSU’s farm, has been accepted into Purdue’s veterinary school. She said having a veterinarian on campus will be transformative. She believes it will show students that their dreams are achievable. “It makes me excited,” Anthony said. “I think that would be very beneficial for students like myself. Not only because I love animals, but one of the main reasons I want to be a vet is to let people that look like me know that they can do it too.”

Currently, only 2.2 percent of veterinarians in the U.S. are Black, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pre vet students stated that they aim to increase these numbers by having an in-house veterinarian on campus who will become role models to aspiring veterinarians.

Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean of the College of Agriculture, outlined the significance of the new position. “The need for someone who understands animal diseases and connects that to human health is critical on the research side,” Reddy said. “That person will be able to assist, work with our extension agents, and guide them, as well as be helpful to the state’s animal producers.”

Reddy noted that the veterinarian will be involved in various aspects of the college.

From supporting TSU’s pre-vet students to advancing research at the upcoming One Health Center, which will link the study of animal and human diseases, a new veterinarian will play a vital role on campus. In December, the Tennessee State Building Commission (SBC) approved plans for TSU to expand its physical footprint with two new College of Agriculture buildings, including the facility where the veterinarian will likely work with the One Health Center. This $63 million project, totaling 110,000 square feet, combines federal and state funding to enhance the university’s research and outreach capabilities.

In regard to outreach, an in-house veterinarian will not only enhance student experiences to sustain a future- ready university, but also boost Tennessee’s agricultural landscape. Pete Nelson, President of AgLaunch and a member of the TSUAg Advisory Board, highlighted the broader impact on the state’s livestock industry.

“Supporting this work with an in-house veterinarian can help take these programs to the next level and build new programs for farmers,” Nelson said. He stated that the university already supports farmers statewide who are seeking to grow their livestock operations, all while maintaining its own livestock on its research farm. So, this addition would improve TSU’s ability to assist underrepresented farmers and build self-sufficiency in livestock care, directly benefiting the state’s agricultural economy.

The initiative of hiring an in-house veterinarian is supported by Land Grant funds, which provide the flexibility to hire without restrictions, according to Reddy. TSU currently has 23 Food and Animal Science students participating in the Dean’s Scholars program, eight of which conduct hands-on research on the university’s farm.

The addition of a licensed veterinarian on campus will serve as a resource for students, providing guidance from animal care to navigating the process of applying to veterinary schools. As Dr. Reddy noted, this hire is not only about filling a gap but also about fostering the next generation of veterinarians.

“There are very few Black veterinarians in the country,” he said. “A lot of students express interest, but not many get qualified to become a veterinary doctor because there are very few seats and very high competition,” he said. “We think having a veterinarian on campus will help those students prepare better, get into the best schools, and get veterinarians out there in the communities.”

As TSU continues to build its reputation as a leading institution among HBCUs, the addition of an in-house veterinarian represents a step forward. Not only does this effort supports students like Cameron Walker and Niarra Anthony, but it also positions TSU to play a crucial role in addressing the state’s agricultural needs and boosting its economy. Visit the College of Agriculture at www.tnstate.edu/agriculture/.