About Us

Founded as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers through the passage of Alabama House Bill 165 on July 4, 1881, Tuskegee University traces its modest beginnings to a one­ room shanty located near Butler's Chapel AME Zion Church. Under Washington's leadership, however, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (as of 18 93) soon rose to national prominence. Marked by more than a century of tradition since its founding thro ugh the efforts of former slave Lewis Adams and former slave owner George W Camp bell, Tuskegee University today is known for being among the nation's premier historically black colleges and universities (HB CUs) - and for its openness to all. Its mission remains service to people, not merely education for its own sake. Stressing the need to educate the whole person, that is, the hand and the heart as well as the mind, founding principal Booker T. Washington's new school was soon acclaimed - first by Alabama and then by the nation - for the soundness and vigor of its educational programs and principles. As one of the University’s esteemed colleges, the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) is recognized as one of the best veterinary medicine colleges in the nation.

The TUCVM is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. The TUCVM has educated over 70% of the nation's African-American veterinarians, and is recognized as the most diverse of all 30 schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. The primary mission of the TUCVM is to provide an environment that fosters a spirit of active, independent and self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics, and leadership; and promotes teaching, research and service in veterinary medicine and related disciplines. One of the flagship TUCVM student-success driven programs is the TUCVM (web-based) Professional Mentoring Program.

In 2021, the TUCVM Professional Mentoring program was founded by Dean Ruby L. Perry, DVM and the eighth Dean of the TUCVM. Dean Perry is the first female Dean of the College. Dr. Perry has served as a strong mentor and a role model over the years for many veterinary students, faculty and staff and her vision and forward thinking in designing and implementing a web-based Professional Mentoring Program is a testament to her commitment to student success. The program description and goals of the TUCVM (web-based) Mentoring Program are as follows:

Program Description:

The aim of TUCVM/TVMAA Mentoring Program is to assist with the success of TUCVM students. This goal will be achieved by leveraging alumni expertise to promote success via enhanced student/alumni engagement. The TUCVM Professional Mentoring Program seeks to positively impact the mental and educational wellbeing of the students enrolled in the TUCVM by increasing student success and improving student outcomes.

Program Goals:

*To assign a mentor to each veterinary student at Tuskegee University

*To support TUCVM students in developing their personal and professional networks with TUCVM alumni, faculty and industry partners

*To provide a space for TUCVM students to seek academic assistance, explore professional goals, career interest, and workplace preferences

*To help TUCVM students gain an appreciation for mentoring as a personal and professional development tool

*To provide a meaningful opportunity for alumni, faculty and industry partners to connect with TUCVM students around life, career, and professional experiences.

*To inspire alumni, faculty, industry partners and others to strengthen their relationship with and support of the TUCVM