Bullet-point Summary
- AAVMC awarded $166,000 in Diversity Leadership Scholarships to 16 veterinary students in 2026.
- Each recipient of the Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship received $10,000.
- The scholarships support students advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at AAVMC member institutions.
- One recipient also received the Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship, increasing her total award to $16,000.
- The program reflects ongoing collaboration between AAVMC and industry partners to strengthen the veterinary workforce.
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) announced the 2026 recipients of its Diversity Leadership Scholarships, recognizing 16 veterinary students for academic excellence and leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within veterinary medicine. The scholarships will distribute a total of $166,000 to students enrolled at AAVMC member institutions.
Through support from Merck Animal Health, 16 students each received $10,000 as part of the Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship program. Recipients were nominated by their respective deans for demonstrated leadership and contributions to inclusive excellence within their academic communities.
Among the recipients, Javelis Marin Castro, a second-year veterinary student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was also selected for the Patricia M. Lowrie Diversity Leadership Scholarship. This additional recognition increased her total scholarship award to $16,000. Castro plans to pursue a career as a public health veterinarian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture following graduation.
AAVMC leadership and Merck Animal Health representatives emphasized that the scholarship recipients represent the future of the veterinary profession—one that better reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and is equipped to address evolving societal and public health needs.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
