About

The AAVMC Committee on Thriving Academic Communities serves as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. Because vibrant, supportive, and inclusive learning environments are essential to the success of academic veterinary medicine, the committee ensures that these values are woven throughout all components of the AAVMC Strategic Plan. The committee uses data informed insights to strengthen the academic veterinary medical community and promote environments where all members can flourish.

Committee Responsibilities

  • Advance community building programs and policies that foster healthy, respectful, and welcoming learning and working environments for all members of academic veterinary medical community.
  • Promote environments where every individual can thrive, regardless of background, identity, perspective, or lived experience, ensuring that all feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.
  • Promote and lead relevant research on thriving in the veterinary academic environment and veterinary education.
  • Lead and collaborate with AAVMC initiatives, programs, committees, and task forces to support:
    • broadening the applicant pool,
    • reducing barriers to entry,
    • strengthening retention of students, staff, and faculty, and
    • encouraging full participation across the academic continuum and profession.
  • Support efforts that prepare graduates to serve all communities effectively, equipping future veterinarians with awareness, adaptability, and the interpersonal skills needed to work across varied contexts.
  • Engage in activities that expand awareness of educational and career opportunities in veterinary medicine among communities that may be less familiar with the profession.
  • Collaborate on meetings, symposia, and related initiatives that strengthen community vitality and support the AAVMC’s commitment to fostering strong, inclusive academic environments.
  • Provide guidance on the institutionalization of awards and recognitions that celebrate contributions to building vibrant, supportive, and forward-looking educational communities.

 

Composition: 

Committee leadership is composed of members who have diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as a part of their portfolio; these individuals may be Directors of Diversity, Associate Deans, faculty, staff or others who have the requisite experience and expertise in this subject matter. The leadership of the committee will be comprised of 7 members with at least one (1) member representing an international member institution. The DEI Committee will recommend to the AAVMC President, one member of its nominated leadership group to serve as Chair-Elect.
Members of the leadership committee are nominated through the AAVMC annual call for volunteers and serve a term of three years and will be eligible for reappointment once to a maximum of two terms. The members of the leadership committee also serve as members of the following five subcommittees: Admissions and Recruitment, Students, Faculty, Climate, and Curriculum. Each subcommittee will be populated through the annual call for volunteers and will serve staggered terms of three years.