Christine Berry has accomplished something no other Cal Poly Pomona student has ever done.
The third-year animal science student from Redlands was elected president of the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA). The election took place at the National APVMA Symposium, March 11-12, at Kansas State University.
Running for president was something Berry had considered for a while because she wants to help other students who are pursuing veterinary school.
“In particular, I want to help students with learning and/or physical disabilities, along with promoting and supporting good mental health,” Berry said. “As someone who has struggled with the challenge of dyslexia, I am particularly passionate about these issues.”
“I would like for those pre-vet students, who struggle with any of these issues, to be encouraged with the knowledge that they can succeed, and that their challenges may in fact, strengthen them,” she said.
Berry, who is president of Cal Poly Pomona’s pre-vet club, consulted with Associate Professor Cord Brundage and Lecturer Kathy Earle from the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, before deciding to run. In addition, she talked with past APVMA President Sydney Paris.
She was subsequently nominated and elected by pre-vet clubs from across the country who attended the symposium.
As APVMA president, Berry will oversee creating agendas for APVMA meetings and find host schools for future symposia.
“I will also be tasked with helping implement the mentorship program that has been in progress this last year,” she said. “The goal of this mentorship program is to help pre-veterinary students get into contact with current vet students as an aid for their applications to vet school.”
“She’s has been an amazing leader in our campus pre-veterinary club, and I look forward to watching her continued growth and accomplishments as president of the national student organization,” said Brundage, who serves on the APVMA Advisory Board of Trustees.
“It’s going to be wonderful having this representation on a national level, and Christine is well equipped for the job,” Earle said.
Berry plans to attend veterinary school and is interested in practicing large animal medicine or parasitology.
In addition to Berry, 20 other Cal Poly Pomona students attended this year’s APVMA symposium.
The APVMA is a national organization of pre-veterinary students, which promotes and stimulates interest in veterinary medicine, connects pre-veterinary clubs and organizations nationally, and provides resources to students on pursuing the field of veterinary medicine.
Previously, Cal Poly Pomona students have served as APVMA vice president and treasurer.