Engage with the Alumni Council now!
All graduates of any degree program offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine are members of the CVM Alumni Council.
Please consider an annual gift to the MSU CVM Alumni Council Foundation fund to support council initiatives.
Board Meetings
February 2025 Board Meeting;
During the annual in person board meeting in February, the board convened to:
- Prepare the strategic plan for the upcoming year
- Approve the FY26 budget
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Vote and approve the expansion of the board by 5 new members
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Vote and approve the revised mentorship program playbook
Additionally, the board formed four committees to support key initiatives:
- Fundraising Committee
- Mentorship Program Committee
- Student Engagement Committee
- Alumni Engagement Committee
These committees will be instrumental in driving our goals forward and strengthening our alumni network. We look forward to future involvement and collaboration as we work together.
Contact the MSU CVM Alumni Council
Email the MSU CVM Alumni Council
MSU CVM Alumni Council Updates
March 2025
Alumni Council President, Dr. Taylor Lyne, appeared on the Vet Med Cast, the official podcast of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.
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 the 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
Dr. Taylor D. Lyne, a Richmond, Virginia native, worked at his family’s veterinary practice beginning at age 10 and later became 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.
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 the 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. 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. 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.
Dr. Johnny Myers is a 1994 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Myers hails from the heart of western Kentucky, where he was born and raised, graduating from Ballard Memorial High School in 1985. After high school, Dr. Myers went on to earn a B.S. in Animal Science from Murray State University in 1990, where he also met Amy, his late wife of nearly thirty-four years. Together, Johnny and Amy have three children: Nathan (30), Mallie (28), and Ben (16). Dr. Myers has dedicated over two decades to veterinary care, initially founding Animal Wellness Center, Inc. in Paducah, KY in 1997. In 2019, the clinic merged with Animal Kare Center, where Dr. Myers continues his practice. Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Myers is passionate about research in sporting and working dogs, providing consultation on canine nutrition and product development for companies such as Eukanuba Sporting Dog and TETRA Hearing. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Myers finds joy in his faith and family, with football serving as a cherished pastime. He holds deep appreciation for the bonds formed at Mississippi State, and he remains committed to supporting and mentoring future generations of veterinarians as an alumnus.
Dr. Kathryn Primm attended veterinary school at Mississippi State University CVM, founded and runs her own small animal practice, and enjoys lecturing/writing about veterinary topics. She is a CVPM (certified veterinary practice manager) and actively sees small animal patients each week. Her hospital, Applebrook Animal Hospital, is a three doctor practices that cares for both dogs and cats in a suburb of Chattanooga, TN. After some time on local radio doing Chattanooga Pet Talk, Dr. Primm created a podcast with producer, Mark Winter of PetLife Radio, called Nine Lives with Dr. Kat. The show has grown in popularity and has hundreds of thousands of downloads each month. It can be found on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and is permanently showcased on PetLiferadio.com. The audience has been expanded to include dog lovers with Dr. Kat Gone to the Dogs also on PetLife Radio. Her writing has been included in many publications including Veterinary Economics, Vetted magazine, dvm360.com and iheartdogs.com/iheartcats.com, as well as an animal memoir, Tennessee Tails: Pets and Their People, published in 2013. She is regularly quoted in media, like Catster and Dogster and has even been the cover feature of PetVet magazine. Her work appears in dvm360 in digital and print.
Dr. Alicia Anderson is a 1993 graduate of MSU CVM. Mentoring veterinary students. particularly those pursuing public health careers, is something she is passionate about and eager to devote more time to. After graduating from MSU CVM, Dr. Anderson completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at a busy referral practice in Connecticut, followed by three years in small animal practice in Atlanta. Knowing early on that she wanted to pursue a career in public health, she earned her MPH in epidemiology from Emory University in 1999. That same year, she was accepted into the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service, a two-year fellowship in field epidemiology. Dr. Anderson remained at the CDC for a total of 21 years as a Public Health Service officer. She also served for four years in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, working at USAMRIID in filovirus research and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C. Dr. Anderson is incredibly grateful for a rewarding career in veterinary public health. Since retiring last year, she has been looking forward to giving back to the profession in meaningful ways—mentorship being at the top of that list. When she began working in public health, there were very few veterinarians in the field. She would be honored to support and guide students who are interested in public health, epidemiology, or military service.
Dr. Christine Calder has spent many years practicing veterinary medicine in both New Jersey and Maine. Over the course of her career, she has worked in general practice, served on the behavior service at the San Francisco SPCA, and taught in community practice settings at several veterinary schools.
Her deep interest in animal behavior led her to pursue a residency with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and she became a Diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2017.
Today, Dr. Calder runs her own veterinary behavior consultation practice and serves as the Chief Behavior Officer at Cattle Dog Publishing®, which is part of the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. She is the co-author and editor of Low Stress Handling® and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats (second edition) and Low Stress Handling®: A Practical Guide to Cooperative Care, Training, and Behavior Modification.
Alongside her clinical and editorial work, Dr. Calder contributes to educational programs at VIN® and is especially passionate about helping veterinary students feel confident and prepared for that behavior case on their first day in practice.
Dr. Mark Akin was named the 2022 College of Veterinary Medicine Alumnus of the Year by the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. A 1982 BS and 1986 DVM graduate of MSU and a 1977 graduate of Shannon High School, Dr. Akin has practiced equine sports medicine for 36 years.
He is a member of several professional organizations, including the AVMA, AAEP, MVMA, TVMA, and the American Horse Council, and has served on multiple AAEP committees. He is also active with The Foundation for The Horse.
Dr. Akin credits MSU for providing an exceptional education, saying, “MSU produces the most qualified, sought-after graduates—period. MSU graduates not only know why, they know how.”
Dr. Ethan Sutherland is a native of Franklin, TN, where his passion for horses and veterinary medicine began. He attended MSU, obtaining his Animal Science degree and later became a MSU CVM Class of 2019 Alumni. After graduation, he moved to Lexington, KY working as an ambulatory equine practitioner working on thoroughbreds on both farms and at the tracks. Later, he had the opportunity to join Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Inc. where he now oversees the equine business and product development. He still enjoys the opportunity to practice, providing the veterinary care for the research herd of horses on site. Him and his wife, Morgan and their new daughter, Azalee Reese, live in Lancaster, SC, near Nutramax Headquarters. He is honored to be joining the alumni board in hopes to be able to give back to the school and college that he dearly loves.
Dr. Alicia Olivier Dr. Alicia Olivier (DVM ’05, PhD) is Associate Dean for Administration and Professor of Anatomic Pathology at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. A board-certified veterinary pathologist, she completed her PhD and residency at Iowa State University before faculty appointments at the University of Iowa and MSU CVM. Since joining MSU in 2014, she has led diagnostic services, taught and mentored veterinary and graduate students, and served in numerous leadership roles. An active leader in the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. Olivier has authored more than 70 publications and received multiple national and college teaching and mentorship awards.
Alumni Council Committee Members
Dr. Kristopher Appler earned a B.S. in Biology (2004) and a DVM (2007) from Mississippi State University. After working in small animal general practice and emergency care in Evansville, Indiana, Dr. Appler commissioned into the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in 2011. He completed the USDA-APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician Course in 2014 and earned an MPH from the University of Georgia in 2018, with concentrations in Epidemiology and Disaster Management. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 2019.
His military education includes the Basic Officer Leadership Course, Captains Career Course, and Command & General Staff College. His assignments have included roles in public health, operations, and civil affairs, with deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation United Assistance (Ebola response in West Africa), and NORTHCOM disaster response. Dr. Appler currently serves as Command Veterinarian and Deputy Surgeon for 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
His military awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, and numerous campaign and service medals, as well as the Parachutist Badge and Chilean Jump Wings.
Dr. Grace Dewberry is a 2023 graduate of MSU-CVM and a small animal general practitioner at Starkville Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Dewberry also performs relief shifts in the small animal ER at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
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.
