Meet Alexandria B. (she/her), a Colgate-Palmolive Scholar who is studying Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.

What is your dream?

I aspire to become a veterinarian who is dedicated to tackling the many challenges and obligations in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians are required to serve society in various ways; thus, they must possess the skills of adaptability, problem solving, and empathy. They should be adaptable to address the different cases that are presented to them. In addition, veterinarians must be problem solvers to recognize patterns and details to assist animals efficiently. Lastly, they need to be empathetic to provide care to all animals that they treat and their owners.

It is my goal to be a great veterinarian with these skills and more. I want to save many animals lives and help strengthen the human-animal bond. I desire to work at a mixed-species practice where I can educate clients and improve animal health. This will look like me explaining the importance of preventative medicine like vaccines, heartworm prevention, and dental cleanings. It can also look like me being a veterinarian at FFA meetings to educate kids about zoonotic diseases. I am excited to achieve and live out my dream.

Please share how you feel about the win and what impact it will have on your career.

I am so grateful for this award. About 80% of my education from my bachelor’s degree to doctorate degree has been funded by scholarships. Being in college has allowed me to achieve my dream career, meet many of my best friends, travel the world, and so many other things. I greatly want to pay this back in the future.

What advice do you have for other women reaching for their dreams?

In the fourth grade, I told my father I did not think I would graduate college. It was too expensive, and my teachers, classmates, and mother did not think I was intelligent enough to accomplish this feat. After my confession, my father passionately assured me that I could achieve anything that I worked for. He made me promise him that I would graduate college and not doubt my abilities. I soon learned the reason why my father was so zealous that night; he was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years earlier. Although he did not graduate college, my father wanted to ensure I knew the importance of higher education. He took time to assist me with my schoolwork, emphasizing that I should read often and study science.

When he passed, I was confused and alone. I did not have close friends or family to confide in. Yet, I knew I did not want to be a victim to self-pity. I chose to find solace in God and focus on my oath. I began studying the Bible and volunteering at an animal shelter. Working with animals showed me regardless of what could be going on in my life, they always made me feel better. This connection solidified my commitment to becoming a veterinarian.

My determination to remain on the path my dad had encouraged and pursue a college degree paid off. By the time I had graduated high school, I was ranked third in my class, had held leadership positions within multiple organizations, and was consistently active in my community. My achievements earned me scholarships which allowed me to pursue a college education. Throughout, my college career, I maintained my high academic standards, stayed active in various leadership roles surrounding community advocacy, and built strong relationships with my peers.

Every summer, I returned home to work at an animal shelter and clinic to save money and shadow different veterinarians. my unwavering mindset allowed me to graduate a semester early with minimal debt. Ultimately, my ability to prevail over the immense internal and external doubt that I faced and the financial barriers to my academic goals have helped to shape me into the empowered woman I am today. I am happy that I was able to keep my promise to my daddy and honor his life. Now, I am more than excited to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, which will be a reminder to myself of my capability to accomplish the extraordinary.