Dean's Leaders Program
Overview
The Dean’s Leaders Program, sponsored by the Office of Community Belonging and Well-being, is designed to advance academic readiness, professional success, and leadership skills. 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. To date, we have 4 cohorts in each of the 4 years of the curriculum, and upper classmates serve as mentors for the incoming classes. The program follows Cornell's founding principle of "any person can find instruction in any study."
The Dean’s Leaders Program is part of a suite of training programs available for D.V.M. students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. These programs support varied career interests and backgrounds to foster future career success. Each program has its own application and selection process. Examples include the following:
- Biomedical-research-focused programs:
- Career-interest-focused programs:
Eligibility
The Dean’s Leaders Program is available on a competitive basis to D.V.M. students who have applied for and been offered Fall admission to CVM.
How to Apply
Communication about the application process will happen after the D.V.M. matriculation period. Students who wish to be considered for the Dean’s Leaders Program will submit a short statement of interest, unique perspective and skills that influenced their decision to pursue a D.V.M.-degree, potential for leadership, and academic readiness. In addition, students are asked to provide insight on their potential to contribute to a community of belonging in the veterinary profession.
Cohort selection will be based on a holistic review by the Dean’s Leaders Program team of applicants' D.V.M application materials and supplemental statements, and timely receipt of materials. Selected students’ appointment dates will begin the second week of July each year.
Participation
Students admitted to the Dean’s Leaders Program will be recognized as CVM Dean’s Leaders and will be commit to participate in community, academic, leadership and professional activities specific to this program sponsored by the Office of Community Belonging and Well-being and its partners.
The program starts with an on-Campus 5-week Dean’s Leaders Summer Program that includes academic and professional development activities, and continues throughout the 4 years of the D.V.M. curriculum with a variety of year-round comprehensive, enriching, and transformative personal and professional experiences and workshops. In addition, social and interactive events build a supportive community and belonging among the DLP students.
Participation in the Deans Leaders Program will not prevent students from taking advantage of other programs, but coordination will be needed in some situations (e.g., summer research opportunities).
Summer 2026 Programming
Week | Topic/Theme |
1 | Overview, Community Building & Setting Expectations |
2 | DVM Curriculum Module Overview I |
3 | DVM Curriculum Module Overview II |
4 | Leadership & Career Development Well-being |
5 | Research & Clinical Shadowing Summer Symposium for Capstone Projects |
Experiences during the Summer Program
Daily activities:
Practical preparation for the CVM curriculum, including:
- CVM leadership, faculty, staff
- Problem-based learning skills and cases
- Test-taking techniques
- Managing time and self-regulated learning
- Research and clinical shadowing
Professional development activities:
- Communication
- Financial literacy
- Team work
- Networking
Training in well-being and life skills, such as:
- Stress management
- Mindfulness
- Yoga
Tours of Cornell facilities:
- Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA)
- Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC)
- Teaching Dairy Barn
- Cornell libraries
- Cornell Dairy Bar
- Cornell Botanical Gardens
Fun, engaging and community building activities like:
- Meeting the upper class DLP students
- Tours of Ithaca town and parks
- Volunteering
- Team Scavenger Hunts
- Bowling
- Tie-dye
- Board games
Living:
Campus housing and meal allowances for the duration of the Summer Program are provided at no cost to the student.
Transportation:
We purchase TCAT bus passes for students to allow ease of travel on and off campus, upon request. The program also pays for parking for those with vehicles, for the duration of the Summer Program.
Summer stipend:
A stipend is provided for the 5-weeks of the Summer Program.
Participants in the Dean's Leaders Program are expected to fully participate in all required programming for the duration of the 5-week Summer Program, starting in the second week of July. This programming is created ahead of time and remains subject to change based on a series of factors (which include, but are not limited to, changes in weather, faculty/staff availability, and extenuating circumstances). Programming times range, yet our goal is to have students participate in programming from 9am to 2pm/3pm Monday through Friday.
Capstone Project:
The summer culminates in a Summer Symposium where participants present their capstone project posters to an audience of peers and mentors showcasing:
- Background and lived experience
- Academic interests
- Academic success plan
- Keys to success
Questions? Contact us!: cvm-deansleaders@cornell.edu
Student Testimonials
“The experience was wonderful. I would do it over again one hundred percent…I have never felt so heard and seen by an administration in my life.” – Ashley Stroud, D.V.M. ’26
“Dr. Ragin and her team have been incredibly supportive and have proven to be invested in our success as a group and as individuals… They have spent a lot of time listening and being responsive to our needs before we even started classes as prospective students and now as students in the thick of classwork… I hope that people are encouraged to apply to Cornell Vet and are not discouraged for fear of not seeing anyone who looks like them. I believe Cornell Vet is trying very hard to make anyone and everyone welcome to study here, and I hope that initiative continues and the message of inclusion and commitment to diversity spreads and propagates for everyone to know.” – Rebecca Jaramillo, D.V.M.’26
“The program has allowed me to smoothly transition into a new setting and build a community with mentors and students…Throughout the summer months, there were several lectures on how to study, well-being, and personal growth. Every aspect of the program has thus far contributed to my time in veterinary school. Without the exposure I have received throughout my time in the Dean’s Leaders program, the transition to the pace of veterinary school would have been much more difficult.” – Joshua Farris, D.V.M,’26
