The Dean’s Leaders Program (DLP) is a summer, cohort-based initiative launched by Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Backed by the Office of Community Belonging and Well-being, the program aims to sharpen academic readiness, boost professional confidence, and nurture leadership potential among incoming D.V.M. candidates. It fuses community-building events, well-being workshops, and one-on-one mentorship with structured sessions on academic skills, career planning, and leadership theory.
Conceived by alumnus Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D.’94, the DLP was crafted to address the unique challenges faced by students from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds. By pairing each participant with faculty mentors and integrating them into a supportive peer network, the program strives to make the transition into veterinary school feel less like a solitary leap and more like a guided journey.
Program design and support structure
Every summer cohort gathers under the guidance of deans, faculty members, and staff who act as both educators and advocates. The curriculum blends cohort-based learning modules—such as case-study discussions, ethics roundtables, and leadership labs—with informal well-being activities like mindfulness sessions and group hikes. This dual focus ensures that students not only master the technical foundations of veterinary education but also develop resilience and a sense of belonging.
Mentorship lies at the heart of the DLP. Each student is paired with a practicing veterinarian or a senior faculty member who provides personalized guidance on academic strategies, research opportunities, and career pathways. Meanwhile, peer interactions are encouraged through team projects and social events, fostering a tight-knit community that often extends beyond the program’s official end date.
Jenny Lam’s journey through the Dean’s Leaders Program
Why she signed up
Jenny Lam, D.V.M. ’30, hails from Stockton, California, and describes herself as coming from a non-traditional background. She explains that the DLP promised a “supportive environment” that would smooth her transition into veterinary school and let her become familiar with Cornell’s culture before the first semester began. For Lam, the chance to “establish relationships with future classmates and faculty” was a decisive factor.
Driving passion for a D.V.M. degree
Lam’s first job in a veterinary clinic revealed the depth of the human-animal bond, a concept that resonated deeply with her love for animals and fascination with science. She believes that earning a D.V.M. uniquely positions her to merge these interests, allowing her to improve the lives of both animals and the people who care for them.
Career aspirations and exploration
While Lam is currently drawn to shelter medicine, wildlife conservation, and zoo medicine, she stresses an openness to “explore other options and keep an open mind.” The DLP’s exposure to a wide array of veterinary professionals reinforced the idea that there is no single, predetermined path to a successful veterinary career.
Highlights and unexpected revelations
Among the program’s most memorable moments for Lam were the storytelling sessions with veterinarians from varied specialties. Hearing these diverse narratives made her realize that “there is no single path to a veterinary career.” Equally surprising was how swiftly the cohort transformed into a genuine community. She entered the DLP expecting a focus on academic preparation, yet the relationships forged with peers proved equally vital for her confidence and future success.
Key takeaways and future goals
Lam admits she arrived at the program nervous about fitting into an unfamiliar environment. Over the weeks, she learned that it’s acceptable to “not have everything figured out from the start,” and that college years are an ideal time to explore interests and grow. Looking ahead to her first year, she aims to step outside her comfort zone, leverage Cornell’s abundant resources, deepen connections with faculty and classmates, and—of course—pass Foundations Course 1.
