Members of the Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Club attain both organizational and professional skills through bi-weekly meetings and planned activities. The club recognizes the importance of integrating the competent care of animals and the ability to work closely with people. Meetings are interactive and topic choices involve the constant input of club members. The goal of the club is to provide knowledge and guidance to members that is applicable and relevant, whether members plan on applying to graduate programs or entering the work force.
Please feel free to contact the Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science Club with any questions.
For additional information, contact: Dr. Katie Beltaire, faculty advisor
2025-2026 Pre-Veterinary/Animal Science Club Officers:
Co-Presidents - Leila Ruiz and Andrea Cardona-Sanchez
Vice President - Alex Pace
Treasurer - Wiktoria Gorska
Community Outreach Chair - Claire Cowan
Secretary - Abby Grillo
Peer Mentor Coordinator - Lilly Winslow
Animal Science Peer Mentoring Group
The Animal Science Peer Mentoring Group was established by students to assist underclassmen in the veterinary and animal science department to network with upperclassmen who then advise the underclassmen in a big brother/big sister type setting. The peer mentoring group assists students with internships, scheduling classes, getting involved with various types of research, applying to vet school, applying for jobs and forming long lasting friendships. The goal of the group is to pass on helpful tips to the underclassmen based on what students have learned along the way and creating a fellowship between all animal science students. Our overall goal is to make the UMass campus feel smaller and a little more like home.
Each underclassman is matched with an upperclassman who shares similar interests. Each mentor can have up to three mentees, but most only have one or two. This pairing gives the underclassmen a peer that the students can easily reach out to when they need advice or have concerns.
Meetings are held every other week and a variety of topics are covered including (but not limited to):
- Study skills and note taking habits
- Resume building guidance
- How to get involved in research
- Study Abroad options and experiences
- Social activities include (but are not limited to):
- Movie Nights
- Group Dinners
- Group activities –apple picking, pumpkin carving, hay rides, gingerbread houses and more!
All activities and meetings are designed to help form camaraderie within the department.
For additional information, please contact Peer Mentors Coordinator Lilly Winslow, @email
Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences Club members painting pumpkins.