Student Membership

All University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine students, including those enrolled at SDSU as part of the 2 + 2 Program, are automatically enrolled as Student Members. Student membership dues are covered under your SAVMA Student Bundle Benefits.

Enrolled at a different veterinary school as a DVM student? You can learn more and apply to become an MVMA student member here.

Student Member Benefits

  • Complimentary registration to the MVMA Annual Conference
  • Opportunity to apply for an MVMF Scholarship
  • Annual Path to Practice student jobs and opportunities fair: speak with hiring MVMA members, learn about externship opportunities, and network with potential employers
  • Welcome Back event on the UMN CVM campus in September    
  • Earn clinical skill credit for volunteering at the Minnesota State Fair Surgery Suite and Miracle of Birth Center exhibits (after completion of first year)
  • Bi-monthly electronic MVMA newsletter including industry news and classifieds that can help you in your job search
  • Access to Free monthly Lunch N' Learn Webinars and reduced fees for MVMA continuing education seminars
  • Committee involvement and leadership opportunities
  • Student externship and job listings offered by MVMA members
  • Opportunity to apply for a paid MVMA/MVMF Student Representative position
  • Volunteer and networking opportunities at various MVMA and MVMF events
  • Four years of student membership entitles you to reduced membership fees for four years after graduation

Most importantly, you will be a part of organized veterinary medicine from the beginning of your veterinary education. The MVMA serves as a watchdog on all issues and topics that impact the veterinary profession, shares important information, and organizes the Minnesota veterinary community to effect meaningful change and advance the profession.

MVMA/MVMF 2025–26 Student Representatives

MVMA employs two or three student representatives annually: one or two at the UMN CVM and one at SDSU. These student representatives serve as liaisons between the student body and the MVMA. You will hear from them occasionally throughout the year regarding opportunities, and you are always welcome to reach out to them with any questions about MVMA.

Ella Olson (UMN)
Ella Olson is a third year veterinary student at the UMN CVM. She received her B.S. in Animal Science with minors in Biology and Chemistry at Utah State University, where she fell in love with the outdoors. Ella’s veterinary interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine, small mammal and reptile medicine, and research. In the Makielski Lab at the U, she has focused on research with canine osteosarcoma and extracellular vesicles. Ella has been heavily involved in VeTouch as a Community Outreach Officer and enjoys her membership in a variety of student organizations including but not limited to VBMA, SIRVS, ZEAW, and SVECCS. In her downtime, she loves to read, hike, climb, and hang out with her friends and cat, Rigatoni.

 

Alexus Songa (UMN)
Alexus Songa is originally from Apple Valley, MN. She received her B.S. in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary emphasis at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She’s now a second year DVM student at the UMN CVM. Before starting vet school, she gained experience working with a variety of species, which helped shape her interest in mixed animal practice. She plans to pursue the mixed animal track with a focus on equine and small animal medicine. Alexus is excited to continue exploring the many opportunities veterinary medicine has to offer. Outside of studying, she enjoys cooking, working out, reading, and traveling.

 

 

Caitlin Baltzer (SDSU)
Caitlin is from Alexandria, SD, and completed her undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a minor in Animal Health. Caitlin’s veterinary experience consisted of multiple rural area clinics that varied in species emphasis. She also had experience at the diagnostic laboratory in Brookings, SD, during her years off between undergrad and veterinary school. She plans to pursue a career in mixed animal rural practice with an emphasis on equine medicine. However, after working at an equine small animal clinic last summer, she is open to changing that. During her time in veterinary school so far, she has been involved in Christian Veterinary Fellowship, VBMA, AABP, and a new club started at SDSU centered around shelter medicine and building surgery skills. Her hobbies are reading, being outdoors in any capacity, hanging out with her friends, and watching movies.