The animal sciences ambassadors are a diverse group of students who represent our department to future students, aid and design activities for our current students, and provide student representation to our alumni and guests.
Check out the animal sciences ambassador channel on YouTube to get a taste of what this group does!
Washington, DC / Pre-Vet, Science, Medical
After graduation, I hope to work in pet nutrition. Either in research and development or in sales. If I do not go into pet nutrition, I am also interested in getting my veterinary technician license. My ultimate goal is to work in the New York City area. I plan on living in New York with my cat and eventually adopt more animals.
Sleepy Hollow, IL /Companion Animal & Equine Science
After graduation in May 2024, I plan on going to graduate school. I am still unsure of my future plans but I am currently interested in research particularly in genetics and reproductive biology. In the long run, I would like to become a professor at a University.
Wilmette, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois with a bachelors in Animal Sciences, I plan to attend a Veterinary School. I would love to attend UIUC's School of Veterinary Medicine but I'm keeping my options open. After graduating, I would like to work as a relief vet but, my plan is to specialize in either emergency medicine or critical care. After working at an ER vet I have learned to love the chaos of emergency medicine!
Naperville, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical, minor: Public Health
After graduating from the University of Illinois, I plan to attend veterinary school at U of I to receive my DVM. If veterinary school doesn’t work out for me, I intend to apply to a master’s program of veterinary science or public health. I'm interested in working as a veterinary pathologist or as an epidemiologist.
Tumwater, WA /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical, minor: Chemistry
After graduating from the University of Illinois, I plan on attending veterinary school. I also plan to complete the dual PhD + DVM program so I can participate in research. I want to focus on nutrition and immunology so I can contribute to comparative biomedical research. After I complete my degrees, I hope to become a professor at a veterinary school.
Tuscola, IL /Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating with my Bachelor's in Animal Science, I plan to attend veterinary school. As of current, my plans are to work with a variety of species, including small, large, and exotic pets. I would love to work in a more rural area to bring further access to veterinary care, especially with exotic species.
Northbrook, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating in May 2025, I plan to attend Vet School and get a DVM. I am currently interested in small companion animals such as dogs and cats. But, I am taking interest in wildlife animals recently. I want to pursue a career in a small animal hospital or at a teaching animal hospital. I am currently trying to have hands-on experience in small animal hospital veterinary medicine to fulfill my career.
Fairfield, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical Concentration
I want to finish my Bachelor's degree here at UIUC, then go into a Master's program related to my interests in genetics and wildlife. I also believe I will pursue a Ph.D. in a related field. I plan to work in a lab setting, likely part of a program to conserve and study the genetics of endangered species for the future. I have always been invested in preserving our planet's biodiversity, and protecting it is more important now than ever.
Chicago, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical, minor: Chemistry
After graduation, I plan to work at Elmwood Grove Animal Hospital during my gap year to continue gaining animal experience to be a competitive veterinary school applicant. Then, I would enroll in veterinary school to earn my DVM. I aim to become a companion animal veterinarian and serve as a Latino mentor.
Bloomington, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, I plan to attend veterinary school. My goal is to become a small animal veterinarian, focusing mainly on companion animals, such as cats and dogs, and I hope to open my own clinic one day. I also plan on volunteering throughout the community, especially at animal organizations.
Highland, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 2024, I plan to attend Veterinarian School. My goal is to become a mixed animal Veterinarian. I would like to own my own clinic and be a mentor to others interested in the same field.
Bridgeport, IL/ Food Animal Production and Management/Dual Degree in Political Science
I will be applying to law school in the Fall of 2023. I hope to attend the University of Illinois College of Law to one day become an attorney in a rural area. With a dual-degree in both Animal Science and Political Science, I hope to be a well rounded and well versed individual with regard to agricultural topics, laws, and procedures.
Highland, IL/ Food Animal Production and Management, minor: Crop Science
After graduating, I plan to attend grad school and conduct research in companion animal nutrition. My hope is to inform pet owners about their animal's nutritional needs and how to properly feed them. My goal is also help improve the manufacturing and mixing of pet food products.
Bolingbrook, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating with my B.S. in Animal Sciences from UIUC, I plan on attending veterinary school and obtaining my D.V.M. Currently, after vet school, I am interested in pursuing a combined anatomic pathology residency and Ph.D. program. Being a clinician scientist will allow me to better the lives and solve problems for humans, animals, and environmental health. I am also interested in traveling around the world to teach and learn more about the veterinary field down the line of my career.
Buffalo Grove, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating from UIUC with a bachelor of Animal Sciences degree, I hope to advance to veterinary school and complete the DVM program. I want to continue my studies and become a wildlife animal veterinarian. My goal is to become a veterinarian and contribute to wildlife conservation and improve the welfare of wildlife animals!
Waggoner, IL/ Food Animal Production & Management
After graduation I plan on pursuing a Master's degree in swine or ruminant reproduction here at the University of Illinois. Following the completion of my degrees my goal is to work for a livestock research company that studies the effects of disease on reproduction.
Rocky Hill, CT/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
I plan on graduating from UIUC in May of 2024 and attending vet school after. I am not sure what type of vet I want to be yet, but I know I have time to decide. I am currently leaning towards zoo animals or mixed animal practice, but I am open to exploring all areas of veterinary medicine.
Mount Carroll, IL/ Food Animal Production and Management
After graduation in May of 2024, I plan on pursing a Master's degree within meat science/human nutrition with plans of becoming a Registered Dietitian.
Chicago, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating in the spring of 2024, I plan on taking a gap year before attending vet school. I want to spend that year working as a vet technician at my current vet clinic in Chicago. During the fall of 2025, I plan on applying to vet school here in Champaign and continuing my education. After completing vet school, I want to complete a residency in Texas. Once I complete my residency I want to begin working as a GP.
St. Joseph, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating in the spring, I plan to attend veterinary school, ideally at a university closer to the Pacific Northwest where I'd like to live, but I'm open to wherever my path takes me! I'm currently undecided on whether I'd like to pursue shelter or wildlife medicine, but I know that I want to balance research and animal welfare work with veterinary medicine. I would also love to incorporate world travel in my career in any way I can!
Cupertino, CA/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduating in 2025 I hope to go to UC Davis for veterinary school and broaden my knowledge to specialize in radiology or emergency medicine. I love being hands on with animals and make a lasting impact on veterinary medicine.
Chicago, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
After graduation, I plan on attending vet school and pursue a DVM+PhD program preferably at the University of Illinois. I want to focus on large animal medicine and reproduction for my degrees. I hope that as a dual degree graduate, I can be a professor at a University or Veterinary institution. Latino and minority groups are the least represented in academia, so I hope to become a mentor for low income or first-generation students.
Forsyth, IL/ Pre-Vet, Science, and Medical
Upon graduating with my Animal Science degree, I plan to attend Veterinary School. I would like to concentrate in companion animal medicine and eventually own my own clinic. I am also very interested in anatomy and surgery. Because of this, I hope to one day become a board certified veterinary surgeon.