The Dean’s Leaders Program (DLP), sponsored by the Office of Community Belonging and Well-being, is designed to advance academic readiness, professional success and leadership skills for D.V.M. students. 

This cohort-based program is supported by the deans, faculty and staff of the college through community-building, well-being activities and mentorship, along with academic, professional and leadership development. 

Initially envisioned by Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D.’94, the DLP was designed as a meaningful way to prepare and support students from diverse backgrounds as they embarked on their veterinary education. 

Stephanie Donovan, D.V.M. '30, from Boston, MA

Q: Why did you do the Dean’s Leaders Program (DLP)? 

I wanted to take on a leadership role within my class and help encourage a strong sense of community and collaboration among my peers. In academic, professional, and personal settings, I have naturally gravitated toward advocacy and community building. Joining the DLP felt like a natural opportunity to bring those experiences into a new environment at Cornell CVM while continuing to grow as a leader and contribute to my class community. 

Q: Why did you decide to pursue a D.V.M. degree?

Growing up, animals were always part of my life, but at Johns Hopkins, my interests evolved into a deeper passion for behavior and health across species. My research in Honduras, studying parasites in raccoons and reptiles, revealed how interconnected animal, environmental, and human health are. A One Health course at the Bloomberg School of Public Health then gave me the tools to understand these connections and recognize the unique role veterinarians play in addressing them.

Pursuing a D.V.M allows me to combine my passion for animals with my interests in research, public health, and One Health. Ultimately, I want to make an impact in veterinary medicine beyond the individual patient. 

Q: What are your veterinary career goals? 

My goal is to work in public health, whether through government organizations, international work, or academia. I want to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address One Health challenges, such as H5N1, that require expertise across human, animal, and environmental sectors. 

Q: What were some of your favorite things from DLP experience? 

 One of my favorite parts of the DLP was Wednesday dinners with faculty in Morrison Dinning Hall. It was a unique opportunity to interact with professors and school leaders outside of the CVM and share a meal. While we often discussed courses and what to expect, conversations naturally shifted to our personal interests and lives outside of school. These dinners helped make faculty feel more approachable and human and made it easier to see them as mentors we could turn to for guidance and help during our time at Cornell. 

Q: What was something you gained confidence in at the DLP?

I feel much more confident and prepared in the PBL tutor group format after working through a practice case with Dr. Ryerson. He guided our discussion and showed us how to approach challenging areas, which gave us a strong foundation for Block 1. I feel confident that my tutor group will work well together and support each other’s learning. I think that starts with being willing to ask questions, admit when we do not know something, and work together to find the answers. 

Q: Was there anything that surprised you about the experience? 

I was pleasantly surprised and incredibly grateful for how well our DLP cohort connected. Outside of the scheduled programming, we spent the summer hiking, visiting parks, and taking trips to Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Syracuse. These experiences helped us build friendships that I believe will last throughout veterinary school and beyond. Our faculty leaders Tessa Brown and Dr. Felippe, were also incredibly supportive and welcoming, setting the tone for the strong sense of community and connection that made the DLP summer such a memorable experience. 

Q: As you enter into your first year of veterinary medicine, what are your hopes and/or goals? 

My goal for the upcoming year is to stay grounded in my “why”. I know the first year of veterinary school will bring some of the most challenging moments of my life, and I want to remember why I chose this path. Keeping that motivation close will help me stay focused and resilient on difficult days.