PV Grad Olivia Greenwood: How I Found My Place in Veterinary Medicine

When I was about four or five, I created a “grasshopper hospital,” where I carefully cared for my patients each day. Since then, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.

I had a deep interest in animal anatomy, health, and treatment. However, as I got older, particularly in high school, my perspective on veterinary medicine began to shift. I developed a strong interest in livestock, yet despite living in a rural area, I didn’t come from an agricultural background. I longed for a community in agriculture — somewhere I could learn, grow, and develop my veterinary skills.

I thought joining local agricultural clubs would help fill that gap, but instead, I often found those spaces exclusionary, especially for someone without a background in agriculture. Being the only Black student in many of these settings also meant navigating frequent microaggressions, which made me feel even more out of place. Over time, I started to question if I truly belonged in veterinary medicine. Even though my family supported my dreams, I faced constant pressure from others to switch to human medicine — a field that seemed more accessible and less isolating.

Everything changed the summer before my senior year of high school when I attended a series of agriculture-based programs at Prairie View A&M University. My family had encouraged me to give these camps a try, and I’ll always be thankful for their belief in my dream, even when I was starting to lose faith in it myself. Participating in those programs was truly a turning point. I remember visiting the goat center for the first time and being warmly welcomed by every staff member as if I were a VIP guest. It was the first time I’d encountered an agricultural community that not only saw my potential but actively invested in it.

One standout moment was meeting Dr. Wendell Baker from Baker Veterinary Clinic, which regularly partnered with PV’s summer programs. Talking to Dr. Baker was impactful — he was the first veterinarian I had ever met who looked like me. That summer, for the first time, I could truly envision myself succeeding in veterinary medicine.

My time at Baker Veterinary Clinic was just as transformative. Learning from the veterinarians and staff shaped the kind of student and future veterinarian I aspired to be. I admired their leadership, their commitment to community, and their willingness to mentor young people like me. The students working at the clinic were also instrumental in my growth — not only were they skilled and hardworking, but they took the time to teach me, support me, and encourage me. From them, I learned the importance of paying it forward. I knew that during my time at PV, I wanted to invest in others just as they had invested in me.

That meant building a strong foundation early on, but starting college during the pandemic presented an unexpected challenge. Despite the limitations of the pandemic, I was determined not to let it stall my momentum. I wanted my freshman year to set the tone for the rest of my college journey — to be a benchmark for accountability, motivation, and discipline. By the end of that year, I had attended my first professional conference, been selected as an Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Ambassador, and become a USDA 1890 Scholar, all while maintaining strong grades. These accomplishments were more than just résumé builders — they were evidence that I could thrive, even in unfamiliar territory.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my time at PV has been how it broadened my understanding of agriculture and deepened my connection to it. Through the 1890 Scholars Program, sponsored by USDA APHIS, I gained invaluable exposure to the intersections of veterinary medicine, policy, and animal welfare. I met federal veterinarians, participated in regulatory projects, and developed real-world insight into how veterinary medicine supports both animal and public health. I especially appreciated how PV’s faculty and staff encouraged me to explore how I wanted to contribute to agriculture, not simply where I fit. That support gave me the confidence to step into leadership roles and make a difference.

One of my first leadership roles was serving as an AFA Ambassador. In that role, my mission was to connect PV students to industry-led AFA opportunities that many wouldn’t have access to on campus. I held the position for two years, and what made it so rewarding was the overwhelming support from faculty, staff, and alumni. Even though my ambassador training prepared me to handle challenges like a lack of institutional support, I never had to worry about that. I was fortunate to be part of a community that truly invested in its students. That level of collaboration and encouragement only strengthened my passion for helping others grow.

Being in this kind of environment also allowed me to dive into opportunities I never imagined, especially at the International Goat Research Center (IGRC). Working with the IGRC has been a journey of growth. I went from being a high schooler unsure of my place in agriculture to becoming a volunteer, then a student worker, a livestock show team member, vice president of the Livestock Club, and now a student researcher. I remember joining the livestock show team with zero experience, just hoping not to embarrass myself. After putting in countless hours of work, I ended up bringing back PV’s first-ever Best in Show award. That moment wasn’t just about winning — it reflected how far I’d come and how much I’d grown into the role of an agriculturist and leader.

As a College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Ambassador, I often shared one key piece of advice with prospective students: “Find a community that will invest in you, because you will need to lean on someone — and the right community will always be there.” My work ethic and discipline are my own, but the person I’ve become, and the veterinarian I’m becoming, are reflections of the community that poured into me. I know now that my journey in veterinary medicine isn’t just about treating animals — it’s also about serving others, creating space for those who come after me, and continuing the cycle of mentorship that began when someone first chose to invest in me.

Olivia Greenwood graduated from Prairie View A&M University this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with a concentration in Animal and Food Science and a minor in Pre-Vet. She will start her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at Tuskegee University in August.

Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.