Tuskegee announces 3 USDA APHIS Foreign Service Veterinary Fellowship recipients

The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) recently announced the recipients of the inaugural US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Foreign Service Veterinary Fellowship (AFSFP). Initially targeted for only 2 TUCVM students, the program’s selection panel was impressed by 3 candidates and decided to reward them all.

The selected veterinary students include third-years Patricia Bradley and Kennedy Miller, and second-year Terrance Mitchell.

“We are grateful to the USDA APHIS International Services for its efforts in developing this unique fellowship program in which our students were selected as the first participants,” says Ruby L. Perry, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVR, dean of the TUCVM, in a university release.

The new program, funded by the USDA and spearheaded by Howard University (a historically black college/university), is open to all veterinary students and welcomes applicants from underrepresented populations.

Additionally, this fellowship is designed to attract and prepare students for Foreign Service careers in the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Each fellowship recipient will be mentored by foreign service officers and will be offered employment upon graduating with their DVM degrees and completing the fellowship program.

Bradley has a keen interest in dermatology, zoo and exotic medicine, and governmental service. She is involved in several university clubs including Royal Canin Student Ambassador, the American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, just to name a few. Bradley looks forward to the many unique opportunities the program will provide her.

When accepted into veterinary school, Miller joined the Class of 2023’s executive board as class treasurer and most recently became the vice president of the Shelter Medicine Club. She is exploring various paths of veterinary medicine and after graduation, aims to pursue a full-time job with APHIS. This summer, Miller will represent Tuskegee during a lab animal internship.

Mitchell is currently the Student American Veterinary Medical Association's International Veterinary Student Association representative among his other positions in TUCVM organizations. He has conducted research at Zoo Atlanta, Kruger National Park in South Africa, and has worked with the Native American community on conservation projects in California.

To learn more about the new fellowship program, go here.