Hailing from Hanover, New Hampshire, Smith will graduate with a degree in Animal Science, and this fall, she will take the next step in her journey at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, where she plans to pursue a career as a dairy veterinarian.
Smith chose UVM and CALS, knowing she wanted to become a veterinarian. The Animal Science major, and its Pre-Veterinary track in particular, stood out for its strong academic foundation and experiential-learning opportunities that aligned closely with her long-term goals. “The Pre-Vet track prepared me for veterinary school applications,” Smith said, “and the opportunities within CALS ended up shaping my interests in ways I didn’t originally expect.”
Those interests shifted early in her college career after completing a month-long winter internship during her freshman year at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont. Working with a small Jersey dairy herd, Smith gained her first exposure to the dairy industry, an experience that would prove transformative.
“I mucked stalls, groomed cows, helped with milkings, fed calves, and answered questions from visitors,” she said. “It was my first introduction to dairy work, and it sparked my interest in large animal medicine.” The internship ultimately inspired her to apply to UVM’s Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) program, which became a cornerstone of her undergraduate experience.
While CREAM opened doors to research, leadership, and applied learning, Smith says the people she met at UVM had the greatest impact on her education. Over time, she developed strong relationships with professors who supported her goals in veterinary school, research, and professional development.
She gives special recognition to Dr. Stephen Wadsworth, lecturer and CREAM advisor, whose mentorship helped define her career path. “Dr. Wadsworth inspired me to pursue dairy medicine,” Smith shared. “His daily teachings about being a good person and showing gratitude to those around us changed the way I look at life. He’s incredibly invested in his students and creates a supportive environment to explore medicine and animal science.”
Smith’s academic dedication has not gone unnoticed. She received the Scholastic Achievement Award from the American Society of Animal Science during her freshman year, recognizing her academic excellence, character, and leadership potential in the field. She has also been named to the CALS Dean’s List every semester.
Beyond the classroom, Smith found balance and belonging through the Roller Hockey Club, which she joined her first year. Having played ice hockey since childhood, continuing the sport in college was important to her, not just as a stress outlet, but as a way to build community. The team traveled throughout New England for tournaments each semester and has competed at nationals every year since Smith joined. Smith earned All-Star Player recognition for three consecutive years through the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association.
“I have loved playing roller hockey here,” she said. “Some of my fondest memories are long van rides, studying in between games, and just having the best time with my teammates. We may not be known for winning, but we have the most fun both on and off the surface.”
Smith also expanded her global and industry perspective through the Winter Dairy Travel Course, traveling to dairy farms across Canada during her sophomore year. The experience gave her insight into differences between U.S. and Canadian dairy systems—and included a memorable introduction to strawberry milk along the way.
A significant portion of Smith’s time at UVM has been devoted to undergraduate research. As a member of an Animal Welfare and Nutrition lab, she has worked as an undergraduate research assistant since Spring 2024. Her responsibilities included raising and feeding calves, collecting biological samples, weighing animals, analyzing data, creating visualizations, and communicating findings to broader audiences. In the spring of 2025 she completed the Bovine Reproduction Course in order to gain certification in Bovine Artificial Insemination. She presented a poster at the 2025 Student Research Conference and completed an honors-designated thesis through the Distinguished Undergraduate Research program, which was accepted by the CALS Academic Awards Committee.
Her thesis, titled “The effects of Megasphaera elsdenii supplementation on feed intake and performance of dairy calves during the weaning and post-weaning period,” was written and publicly defended this spring. Smith says the research experience was invaluable. “I spent many early mornings and late nights feeding calves and collecting data, but I learned so much about how research really works behind the scenes.”
When asked about the most meaningful connections she made at UVM, Smith points to her peers. “The friends I’ve made here have been my greatest connections, from 3:30 AM farm shifts to midnight hockey games, to studying on the floor together. I’m so excited to see where everyone ends up.”
As she looks ahead to veterinary school, Smith reflects on how fully prepared she feels. Before UVM, she imagined a future in companion animal or avian medicine. Through CREAM, internships, and research, her interests shifted decisively toward dairy medicine. “When I applied to vet school, I realized how well-prepared I was in terms of research, animal experience, and academic rigor all because of this program.”
