Join the Alumni Council now!
To join the MSU CVM Alumni Council, click on the join link below, this will redirect you to the MSU Foundation website.
All graduates of any degree program offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine are eligible for membership. Current and former faculty, administers and staff members of the college are also eligible for membership.
Upcoming Meetings
The Alumni Council will host a social at the MVMA meeting in February 2025. Details will be updated closer to the meeting day.
Contact the MSU CVM Alumni Council
Email the MSU CVM Alumni Council
MSU CVM Alumni Council Updates
July 2024
The MSU CVM Alumni Council launched their DVM mentorship program in July 2024. The Alumni Council paired 60 DVM students with council mentors. The Alumni Council mentorship program aims to connect veterinary students with MSU CVM alumni to begin fostering professional relationships and providing support as students navigate the veterinary profession.
June 2024
MSU CVM Alumni Council members joined the Orientation ice cream social for the class of 2028 to introduce board members and the DVM mentorship program.
DVM Mentorship Program
MSU CVM Alumni Council was founded with the intention to engage CVM Alumni with the college. An important priority for the council is establishing mentoring relationships with the next generation of veterinarians. Mentorship provides numerous benefits that contribute to personal and professional development. Within the veterinary profession, it is considered crucial to success during transitional stages of one’s career.
The Alumni Council mentorship program aims to connect veterinary students with MSU CVM alumni to begin fostering professional relationships and providing support as students navigate the veterinary profession.
Program Eligibility
Mentors
All program mentors are members of MSU CVM Alumni Council. Mentors should have a desire to contribute to the future of the veterinary profession and be willing to share their experiences and build relationships. Mentors should provide honest and timely feedback to their mentees.
Mentees
All program mentees are MSU CVM veterinary students. Mentees should take a proactive role within their mentoring relationship, communicating their goals and aspirations to their mentor. Mentees should be open and honest with their mentors about challenges or weaknesses they may have so that their mentor can provide them with support.
Program Details
- The program is for one year and runs from approximately July 1 – June 30
Program Expectations
- Genuine interest and commitment to the mentorship program
- Commit to connecting at least 3 times per semester (a total of six times for the year)
- Establish open and honest communication
- Respect and maintain confidentiality
- Maintain professionalism in all interactions
Meeting Topics: These are meeting topic ideas. Please feel free to be flexible to the mentees interests.
Meeting 1: Introductions
- A brief introduction about each other
- What is the mentee expecting from this program
- What are you as a mentor expecting from the mentee
- How many sessions would you like to conduct as well as duration of each session
- What mode do you prefer the sessions to be in: Webex, phone, in person (may be possible for some events)
Meeting 2: Sharing your career journey
Telling a mentor’s personal story about their career gives mentees’ insights on what the industry was like when they started, how they overcome obstacles, and their little secrets behind success.
Mentor can share their career journey, topics may include:
- What made you choose the field you are in
- How did you reach the position you are at
- Describe a time when you felt like quitting and how you bounced back from that situation
- Things you wish you had known before taking up a leadership role (if applicable)
- The most important lesson you’ve learned from your mistakes
- How you handled a difficult boss or a difficult situation
- How you developed your communication skills
Meeting 3: Discuss mentee career goals and long/short term goals
It’s crucial to discuss and understand why your mentee is involved in the relationship and what they expect to achieve from it.
Here are few questions related to goals that a mentor can ask their mentee:
- What do you want to achieve within the next six months?
- How do you wish to achieve your goals?
- How do you measure your success?
- Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Meeting 4: Work-life balance and well being
This discussion topic addresses the challenges related to achieving a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
- How do you currently manage the balance between your work and personal life?
- Are there any areas you would like to improve?
- What self-care practices or routines have you found effective in maintaining your well- being?
- How can you effectively manage stress and avoid burnout in a demanding work environment?
- What strategies can you adopt to establish boundaries and manage time effectively?
Meeting 5: Select a topic that is of interest to both the mentor/mentee
- What conflicts have you experienced while working with people older or younger than you?
- How do you feel about change? Does it excite or scare you?
- Do you need to learn new skills in the next two to five years? If so, what will they be?
- How do you approach learning in the workplace? Is it a luxury or a priority?
- Do you have a plan or goals for your career? Do you think they will change?
- What resources do you use to stay up to date with current technology?
- What are some of your best practices for communicating through digital channels?
Meeting 6 (final meeting). Review outcomes
At the end of the program, ensure to sign off on a positive note with a celebration commemorating the time together.
- Share the mode the mentee can reach you in future in case they want to keep in touch – via email, text or phone call.
At the end of the program, please complete the emailed MSU CVM Alumni Council Mentorship Program survey. Feedback is important to continue to improve the program.
Alumni Council Board of Directors
A Richmond, Virginia, native, Dr. Taylor D. Lyne worked at his family’s veterinary practice beginning at age 10 and later become a kennel assistant there. Lyne completed his undergraduate education at Emory and Henry College and Virginia State University. He enrolled at MSU for veterinary school because its curriculum enabled him to gain clinical knowledge earlier than at other institutions. He graduated from MSU in 1994 with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and returned to the family business as veterinarian-in-charge and eventually owner. Lyne Enterprise LLC consisted of Chester Animal Clinic and West Chester Pet Resort—all around Chester, Virginia, where he resides. He volunteers his time as a mentor to new graduates, imparting best practices to the next generation of veterinarians. Not only has Lyne mentored senior students at MSU, but also at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and through Blue Ridge Community College.
In December 2020, he sold his family practice and Pet Resort to pursue more time with his wife, fishing and hunting with friends as well as travel abroad. For several years he’s been developing the MSUCVMAC with the help of Dean Hoblet. The MSUCVMAC adopted their official Constitution and Bi-Laws in August 2023 with an Executive Board that is a broad representation of MSU CVM’s alumni. He’s very excited about the potential opportunities that this venture can and will offer students and future alumni of MSU CVM.
Dr. Robert A. Watson is a 1994 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary medicine. Originally from Cleveland, Mississippi in the delta, Dr. Watson graduated from Cleveland High School in 1985, and received his B.S. in biology from Delta State University in 1989. He is married to the former Dr. Dianne Smith (MSU CVM 1993) of Brookhaven. They have four grown children, 3 dogs, and 6 cats. When not in the clinic, Dr. Watson enjoys the outdoors hunting, fishing, attending MSU sports, and spending time with family.
The Watsons established Brookhaven Animal Hospital in Brookhaven, Mississippi in 1997. Over the years the practice has grown from a one vet mixed animal practice to a busy four doctor small animal practice. Dr. Bob still enjoys internal medicine and both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He has served on the board of the MVMA in the past, serving as vice president in 2009 and president in 2010. He was selected as the MVMA Young Veterinarian of the Year in 2004. The Watson family are members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where Dr. Bob serves as a deacon.
Dr. Mike Gowan is an assistant clinical professor at Mississippi State University. He is currently a full-time emergency clinician and clinical instructor at the Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Flowood, MS. This is a remote campus of the College of Veterinary Medicine located in the Jackson-metro area. His primary duties are emergency patient care, orientation & evaluation of students, teaching of fourth-year veterinary students on their two-week clinical rotation at AERC, and some administrative duties related to the hospital. He received his BS in agriculture from MSU in 1991 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from MSU in 1995. He began his career in a mixed animal practice. He practiced at Sawmill Animal Hospital in Laurel from 1995–1998. From 1998–2002, he worked at County Animal Clinic in Kosciusko, MS as a mixed animal practitioner. He moved to Brookhaven, MS in 2002 where he worked initially at Brookhaven Animal Hospital in a mixed animal role, and in a small animal role until 2010. In 2010, he started work in emergency medicine at Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Flowood.
Gowan is a native Mississippian. He grew up in Attala County in the small community of McAdams, MS. He grew up on a farm and enjoyed being involved in church activities, playing sports, and outdoor activities with his family. He has two sons, Colby & Caleb, and a daughter Hailey. He and his wife Rachel reside in Brookhaven, MS with their pets. He is a member of Easthaven Baptist Church. His special interests include teaching and working with students as well as soft tissue surgery. In his free time, he enjoys working outdoors, spending time with his family, and outdoor recreational activities such as hunting and fishing.
Dr. James Yates is originally from Olive Branch, Mississippi. He attended Mississippi State University for his undergraduate education and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. His areas of veterinary interest include radiology, specifically ultrasonography, owner education, and veterinary mentorship.
Dr. Yates and his wife Sarah moved to Tupelo in April of 2020. They have two daughters, Olivia and Hannah, and share their home with a yellow Labrador. As a die-hard Mississippi State fan, he enjoys all aspects of MSU athletics, especially football at Davis Wade. Dr. Yates volunteers his time as a mentor for both undergraduate and veterinary students at MSU. He also enjoys performing in musical and live theater, as well as playing guitar and bass guitar. He was most recently seen as Jud Fry in Mississippi State University’s production of “Oklahoma!” in 2016 and as Karl the Giant in "Big Fish" at Tupelo Community Theater in 2023. Dr. Yates looks forward to his continual involvement with Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine through the Alumni Council, ECP program, and further mentorship of future veterinarians. Hail State!
Dr. Audra Alley graduated from Mississippi State University CVM in 1996. Dr. Alley married her classmate, Mark Alley, following graduation, and they moved to West Virginia to begin their practice career. The following year Dr. Alley moved to Greeneville TN where she practiced for 6 years, and the
couple’s two children Reid and Taylor were born. In 2003, Dr Alley became certified in the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. The next adventure began in Raleigh, NC where Dr. Alley spent time practicing in both a feline only practice as well as a general small animal practice. In 2012, Dr. Alley opened Shiloh Animal Hospital in a small lease location in Morrisville, NC. Shiloh has since grown into a stand-alone facility employing 6 veterinarians and 30+ support staff. During this growth, Dr. Alley
continued her passion for continuous improvement by completing the requirements to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline in 2015 and chiropractic manipulation in 2016. Dr. Alley and her husband were honored to be chosen as Alumni
Fellows of MSU CVM in 2018. Dr. Alley lives in Cary NC with her husband and Taylor. Reid is currently enrolled at MSU CVM. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and hanging out with her 3 dogs, 3 cats and 4 chickens.
Dr. Talisha Moore is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and completed a small animal rotating internship at Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2011 and 2013, respectively. She continued her clinical training at Purdue University, completing her residency in neurology/neurosurgery in 2016. Dr. Moore spent one year as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Purdue University prior to returning as faculty to MSU. She remained in that role until September 2020, when she joined University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys all aspects of neurology, but especially neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, and management of seizures.
Ian Evans is a fourth-year veterinary student from Memphis, TN who is interested in surgery and emergency care. Ian studied biomedical engineering at Mississippi State during undergrad and fell in love with veterinary medicine while assisting with research at MSU CVM. In his spare time, he enjoys disc golfing, hiking, and spending time with his pets (Athena and Ronald). Ian is excited to work with the alumni council to advocate for students and offer a student perspective on the most meaningful ways the council can engage with our classes.
Alumni Council Objectives and Bylaws:
I. To promote cooperation, communication, and foster goodwill among the alumni, faculty, students, and friends of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
2. To encourage social and professional interaction at meetings throughout Mississippi and the nation.
3. To promote activities that acquaint the public with the opportunities and values of veterinary medicine as a profession and career.
4. To encourage private giving to the College in establishing support of academic endowments, scholarships, and assistantships.
5. To participate actively in appropriate programs and activities of the MSUCVMAC and the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine.
6. To serve as the parent organization for all alumni groups within the College of Veterinary Medicine.
7. To help give guidance with externships, mentorships and clinical rotations.
8. To assist in a more consistent clinical rotation for students and provide suggested guidelines for accredited rotation hospitals.
