Meet the WSU CVM Student Services Team
The process of applying for veterinary school is not always an easy one, a fact
the Student Services Team at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine tries to help
manage. We want to help you the best we can so that your application and
admissions process will go as smoothly as possible. Chances are you may have a
few questions – so, whether you email us, call or even stop by – we thought
you'd like to know who it is you will be interacting with!
I am a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology. My
teaching responsibilities include Veterinary Parasitology and graduate courses
on infectious diseases and research. My research is directed at advancing
biological understanding of interactions between host animals and infectious
diseases. The aim is to discover new applications for the control of these
diseases. A specific area of research is on gastrointestinal nematodes that
infect livestock and humans. We are investigating nematode intestinal proteins
that function in nutrient digestion and acquisition by these parasites. A goal
is to develop new methods of immune control or chemotherapy by targeting
critical intestinal proteins of gastrointestinal nematodes.
My current position involves teaching in the veterinary
curriculum and providing diagnostic toxicology service to Washington Animal
Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the University of Idaho's Analytical Sciences
Laboratory. The veterinary toxicology service currently receives over 1300 cases
per year, totaling more than 4100 tests. These cases come from all over the
Northwest and include submissions involving all animal species.
My primary goal is to recruit students to enter the field of veterinary
medicine and to study at the Washington State University College of Veterinary
Medicine. I want to try and make the admissions process as transparent as
possible and to do so, I help advise students on what they can do to strengthen
their application, coursework that may help prepare themselves and hold
one-on-one conferences with potential students. I travel throughout the western
U.S. visiting various colleges and universities to meet with prospective
students, explain what the details of a professional DVM program and answer
general questions. States I will generally travel to are: Idaho, Montana, Utah,
Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming. Occasionally I might make it to Oregon or
maybe even California. I also travel around Washington State to meet and recruit
prospective students, as well as talk to junior high and high school students
about careers in veterinary medicine.
When I'm not on the road, I am helping coordinate and give tours
of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine through the Student
Ambassador practicum I lead, serve as a liaison between the
admissions committee and students who are involved in the admissions
process, as well as developing new recruitment materials and
strategies. I also am on the CVM Leadership Team which plans,
coordinates and facilitates the international
Veterinary Leadership Experience, the
Cougar Orientation and Leadership Experience,, and I also assist
with the Leadership Development curriculum series.
My position is ever-evolving and always exciting! It pairs my
passion for helping people discover and achieve their potential with
my love of travel and meeting people.
A little about me: I am a local girl who grew up on the
Palouse. My family farms, has horses and raises Highland cattle. I
got my B.S. in Agricultural Communications at WSU and am currently
working on my master's degree in Higher Education Administration.
Hobbies: My husband and I enjoy hiking, hunting,
whitewater rafting, camping, 4-wheeler trips and working around our
yard. I also enjoy quilting, baking, Cougar sports and in my free
time I facilitate student development programs for high school
students, primarily FFA groups (I am a former National FFA officer).
Family/Pets: My husband and I have the most adorable
little girl, Grace, who is SO busy and keeps us on our toes for
sure! Since she is our first everything is new, very exciting and
I'll admit…she is spoiled! We are all animal-lovers, so right now we
are wrapped around the paw of our dog, Apollo. He is a Rat Terrier
who loves to play fetch, swim in hot springs and get his belly
scratched. His favorite place is on my lap in the La-Z-Boy…very much
a momma's boy! We also have a few head of our own Highland cattle.
I process and answer all application questions for applying
students. I set up interviews, tours of the hospital, send
correspondence letters and brochures, and make sure each
student has all the required information in their
application packet for the admissions committee reviews
during the admissions process. I work with Dr. Gil Burns,
Barb Robbins, and Abbie Demeerleer to ensure that all
current and future students receive the information they
need to complete the application process, visit the school
and get their DVM degree. r />
A little about myself: I enjoy all types of needlework,
visiting the ocean, camping, riding 4-wheelers and being
with my husband, our 3 grown daughters, their husbands and
our 5 grandchildren. One of the first things you will notice
if you ever visit my office is all my family photos.br />
Pets: Our 4-legged family member is Tamone. She might
let you pet her and she might not. Tamone is a tabby-Manx
cross. I have been accused by a 5 year old boy of being a
not-so-nice person because I cut off my cat's tail. Have you
ever tried to explain to a 5-year-old why some cats do not
have tails? This is something you may want to think about if
you want to go into the veterinary field, because by a
5-year-old's calculation... all cats have tails and that is
that.
I manage and maintain student records for the
professional DVM students in all four years of the
program. I am involved with scheduling classes,
curriculum issues, scholarships and awards,
graduation requirements, and various other aspects
of the academic side of the DVM program. I also help
coordinate all fourth-year rotations, externships, ceptorships and other
related fourth year requirements. I work closely with students, faculty,
administration and staff.
AA little about me: I've worked in the Veterinary College
Office of Student Services for 32 years so I know more WSU veterinary graduates
than I can possibly count. Our veterinary community is very close and provides a
wonderful environment in which to work. Outside of work, I enjoy whitewater
rafting, watching wildlife, traveling, and riding and driving my Morgan horses.
My husband and I live in the country outside of Pullman with the horses and our
boxer dog.
My primary job responsibility is to schedule 4th
year veterinary students in their clinical
rotations. I work closely with our Instructional
Technology Manager to implement, test and
troubleshoot computer programs used in the
scheduling and grading process. I support Student
Services in reporting grades of senior students,
checking on graduation requirements and assisting
faculty, students and staff with the scheduling
process.br />
A little about me: I am from this area and so very happy
to be back and raising my two daughters here after traveling with my husband
during his 20-year Navy career.
Pets: We feel very fortunate to have a little farm of
our own on the Palouse which includes, horses, chickens, St. Croix Sheep and
Border Collies.
Kathleen L. Ruby, Ph.D. is a licensed professional
clinical counselor with more than twenty years
experience in the counseling and educational fields.
She has been the head of WSU's College of Veterinary
Medicine
Counseling and
Wellness Department and on the veterinary school faculty for the past six
years. In this capacity, she has counseled veterinary students and faculty,
taught classes on life skills, as well as developed and conducted programs and
workshops related to professionalism, communication skills, stress management,
life balance, and leadership within the college.
Dr. Ruby developed and supervises WSU's
Pet Loss Support Hotline,
and trains students in client bereavement management. The development of an
integrated method teaching and reinforcing life/professional success/
non-technical skills in veterinary students is a central goal of her work.
She is a frequent speaker at state veterinary
associations and practice venues. With a background and training in individual
and organizational psychology, human development and leadership, Dr. Ruby brings
a unique mix of people-skills, psychological insights, and programmatic ideas to
the profession of veterinary medicine. Her special research interests include
the psychology of high achieving individuals and the development of emotional
competence in medical professionals.
I'm a licensed psychologist who works with the students
in the Vet School. The fact that I'm here is illustrative of the College's
concerns about student well-being and the recognition that the stresses of our
rigorous curriculum can take a toll on a student's personal and professional
life. Prior to beginning my work here I had a full-time private psychology
practice for many years, so I've had lots of experience working with a diverse
population of individuals and couples with a wide variety of concerns. Here in
the Vet School, my primary roles are those of counselor, advocate, coach,
advisor, and general confidential listening ear for students experiencing
problems that interfere with their learning or who just want to confidentially
bounce some ideas off someone with an impartial ear. I also try to proactively
address issues of wellness and good self-care so that students are better able
to weather the inevitable challenges that arise. As needs and interests dictate,
I'll be doing workshops on issues such as study skills, learning styles, test
anxiety, and any other topics that may be of help to you during your time here.
I'm also a part of the leadership team who will help you develop the
interpersonal skills that are so integral to your future success in veterinary
medicine. As the advisor for a new student club called the CVM Wellness Club,
I'd like to encourage interested students in participating in planning and
implementing wellness programming for the College.
I enjoy many kinds of activities, including gardening,
fix-it-up projects, rafting, skiing, quilting, reading, and playing with my
pets. Speaking of pets, my menagerie includes three dogs, (see the picture
above). Molly is my golden retriever, Peaches, my cocker, and Little Bit is my
small smorgasbord-type terrier. I also have a cat, ET, who bravely stands up to
the three dogs and keeps them appropriately humbled.
