Animal Science at University of Maryland

ANSC would like to shoutout the ANSC 2026 Graduating Student Awards:

Outstanding Graduate Student: Akanksha Hada

Outstanding Service to AGNR: Academics: Katie Grow and Research: Sarah Blackman

Outstanding Undergraduates Students: Raven Herron

Congratulations and we are so proud of you!!

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Katie Grow

Katie Grow graduated as an Animal Sciences Pre-Professional student with a strong passion for animal care, education, and mentorship. Her experience as a veterinary technician and her work with the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Great Apes Department have shaped her commitment to animal welfare and compassionate hands-on care. At the University of Maryland, she has taken on leadership roles as President of the Pre-Veterinary Society and Vice President of Sigma Alpha while supporting peers as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Kathryn plans to continue her path toward becoming a veterinarian at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Sarah Blackman

Sarah Blackman is graduated with a dual degree in Animal Science and Psychology. She has most enjoyed working with the flock of sheep on the campus farm as a volunteer and a Small Ruminant Intern. She has also loved working with chick embryos in the Taneyhill's Lab and teaching students about anatomy as an Anatomy Lab Teaching Assistant. After graduation, she will be working as a veterinary technician while applying to vet school.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Raven Herron!

When not actively attending lectures, Raven Herron spent most of her time involved in extracurricular activities across campus. She served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) Student Council, a Vice President of the Pre-Veterinary Society, she held roles as Agriculture Chair and Sisterhood Chair of Sigma Alpha, Agriculture Representative for Block and Bridle, Fundraising Chair for the Maryland Equestrian Club, a Raiser of three program dogs for Terps Raising Pups, and a Sigma Circle member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Outside of student organizational leadership, Raven worked as a Program Support Specialist in the AGNR Office of Academic Programs, served as an AGNR Ambassador, and conducted undergraduate research in the Precision Agriculture Laboratory. Raven was also the Teaching Assistant on ANSC205: Animal Anatomy, ANSC237: Equine Reproduction, and ANSC327: Molecular Genetics. After graduation, she plans to pursue her passion for animals and agriculture by attending the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall!

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Thu Nguyen!

Thu is an Animal Science major from Potomac MD who initially came to the university with no agricultural exposure and she is happy to say she has gained a plethora here in AGNR. She was the President of the Pre Vet Society, creative design chair for Sigma Alpha, an ambassador for the college, and intern in the communications department in AGNR. After graduation she will be attending Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to obtain her DVM. She is so happy that she found a community and her closest friends through this college and could not be more grateful for the experiences she gained.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Ava Kneale

Since transferring to UMD two years ago Ava Kneale has worked as a small ruminant intern and TA for ANSC224, interned at City Wildlife, and assisted in both the Ball & Dooling avian behavior and birdsong lab and the Wilkinson bat lab. Ava has also volunteered with the great ape department and veterinary hospital at the Smithsonian National Zoo and has shown twice for Ag Day. Beyond animal-related work, she served on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and held leadership positions in Kappa Delta. After graduation, she plans to apply to veterinary school while continuing her work in wildlife rehabilitation and gaining experience at a large animal hospital.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Julianne Vengroski

During her time at the University of Maryland, Julianne Vengroski discovered a strong passion for working with sheep and goats. In her senior year, she managed the Campus Farm animals through both breeding and birthing seasons while also serving as President of Sigma Alpha. She was an active member of Block and Bridle and contributed to the AGNR Student Council. Looking ahead to her next chapter, Julianne will be leaving for New Zealand this winter to pursue a master’s degree in Small Ruminant Reproduction at Massey University.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Gabby Dorsey!

As a proud second-generation Terp, Gabrielle is a Banneker/Key Scholar who came to UMD to deepen her understanding of animals while also pursuing a minor in Sustainability Studies. During her time on campus, she has served as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Canine Language Perception Laboratory, a Teaching Assistant for Companion Animal Management, Scholarship Committee Chair of Sigma Alpha Sorority, and a member of the Pre-Veterinary Society. She even showcased her hands-on experience by showing a sheep at this year’s Ag Day. After graduation, she plans to apply to veterinary school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Ellie Guzman!

Ellie Guzman is a first-generation transfer student who came to UMD to study Animal Sciences and found a new love for large animal medicine and agriculture. She has been the membership coordinator for pre-veterinary society and has strived to create a closer knit community by hosting study nights and social events. She has also been the Ag Representative and member of the Fellowship Committee for Sigma Alpha, organizing the 2026 Ag Day fundraiser and aiding in event planning. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to work, apply to vet school, and focus on community projects.

ANSC Outstanding Senior Shoutout: Bella Richardson!

Bella Richardson originally planned to pursue veterinary medicine, but quickly realized their passion was elsewhere. After joining Terps Raising Pups as a freshman, they fell in love with service dogs and training. Starting sophomore year, Bella became a Group Leader before later being promoted to Area Coordinator. Through these experiences, they discovered that dog training was their true passion. After graduation, Bella plans to continue working toward their KPA-CDTP certification and open a small business focused on training both pet and service dogs.