The AAVSB Announces Recipient of the 2024 VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award

Overland Park, KS (May 1, 2024)- The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award is Jasmine Johnson, a graduating Veterinary Technology senior from Harcum College.

The Veterinary Technician National Examination® Celebrating Diversity Award is presented to one graduating veterinary technology/nursing minority student who has been traditionally underrepresented in the veterinary technician profession. The award recipient is selected based on their commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and treating everyone with respect and dignity.

“Jasmine is the type of candidate who is the perfect recipient for the Celebrating Diversity Award! The reasons why I believe this is because of her strong leadership skills, being passionate about education, willing to overcome challenges and committed to making a difference! Jasmine is just getting started and I know she will continue to do great things in the veterinary world!”

-Nekeya Meade, Selection Committee

Jasmine has been involved in the veterinary field for some time, starting as a part-time Kennel Attendant. She continued that after graduating and beginning full-time as a Therapeutic Staff Support. Her time in the mental health field gave her firsthand experience in the transformative impact that a supportive and culturally aware educational environment could have on an individual’s life, and she knew she wanted to continue promoting an environment of inclusivity, diversity, and understanding in every educational setting she encountered. After spending years in education, her passion for animals, along with her interest in medicine and teaching, inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary nursing.

Her career began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she saw opportunities for leadership, stepping in when recognizing burnout and stress, and working effectively with challenging clients. This summer she will be volunteering with the Harcum College Upward Bound Summer Residential Program working with at-risk high school students, providing tutoring and mentorship to build the skills necessary to earn a post-secondary degree. After graduating and passing the VTNE, her vision is dedicated to creating opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and support for other African American students who dream of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

“Redefining leadership in veterinary medicine is not just a moral imperative; it is an investment in the future of the profession.”- Jasmine Johnson

Join us in congratulating Jasmine on receiving the VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award!

Learn more by going to our VTNE Awards Page

For any questions contact: [email protected]

About the AAVSB: The AAVSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the veterinary regulatory community. The membership of the AAVSB consists of 63 jurisdictions representing all of the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and ten Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

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