Meet Our CVM Student Leadership

President: Nicole Scherrer

Hi, I'm Nicole, and I am the President of SGA for the 2021-2022 school year! 

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

Last year, I decided to pursue a leadership position within Student Government as a Student Representative because I wanted to share the perspectives of the inaugural class in our new program. During the 2020-2021 school year, I felt like I played an active role in helping the CVM make improvements that benefitted my cohort, so I am very happy that I get to continue to do that for both the Class of 2023 and the Class of 2024. 

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

Growing up, I would watch the veterinarian working on horses at the barn where I rode. He and another veterinarian were doing stem cell research on the horses that they housed there. I realized that veterinary medicine was so much more than vaccinations and preventative care, and I was hooked. In high school, my late teacher and mentor, Dr. Dean Rice, endlessly encouraged me when I doubted myself, so I will always be grateful to him for his influence. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

My main goals while in leadership are to (1) help my peers establish a vibrant, collaborative, and supportive culture at the CVM and (2) to support them by listening to and voicing their ideas and concerns to bring about positive change to the college and enhance the veterinary school experience for all students. 

Vice President: Ricky Wagner

Hi! My name is Ricky Wagner and I am originally from Kansas City, but I moved to Tucson from Houston, Texas. I enjoy hiking, going to the gym, and snuggling my two cats. 

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I wanted to continue being a part of SGA because I truly enjoyed being an advocate for the student body and making positive changes, whether those were behind the scenes or upfront. 

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

I have always loved animals, science, and medicine, and veterinary medicine is a career where I can combine all those passions to help pets and owners when they need it most. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

I aim to fulfill my duties to the best of my ability and to continue fun traditions such as the annual dodgeball tournament, as well as possibly creating more. I hope to promote a safe, productive environment within the CVM and ensure that every student feels that their voice and feedback are heard. 

Treasurer: Brittany Johnson

Hi, my name is Brittany! I am originally from Miami, Florida and I am the acting treasurer for the College of Veterinary Medicine Student Government.

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I am lucky to be a part of the inaugural class and wanted to make a difference for the students and our experience here at the University of Arizona.

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

I have had a passion for caring for animals since I was young. I have a Guardian Fur Angel, he was a sweet Pomeranian named Kobe. He passed away at 11 years old (2009-2020). Still miss him so much to this day but I carry a piece of him with me every day in my heart pendant necklace. I also have a newly adopted 4month old black kitten named Onyx. I originally was fostering him to help me get through the loss of my baby, but then he stole my heart and became mine. I named him after the healing black onyx stone because he helped me heal from losing Kobe. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

My goals in leadership are to perform all my duties and responsibilities as treasurer at the utmost level. In addition, I aim to be a great resource and confidant for my classmates and to always lead by example. 

Secretary: Emily Kurtz

I am originally from Minnesota and got my Bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. I love to read, everything nerdy (especially Harry Potter and Marvel), and playing board games.

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I decided to pursue this role because I wanted to help my fellow classmates to shape our school and to try and create a fun and healthy learning environment.

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

I decided to pursue veterinary medicine initially due to my love for animals, but later also became heavily influenced by some of my mentors. Now, an important reason I am still in veterinary medicine is to educate clients and the general public about common misconceptions about the veterinary medicine field. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

Some goals I have for my time in student government is to provide clear communication between my classmates and SGA. 

Class of 2023 Student Rep: Hannah Harby

Hi, I'm Hannah Harby, a second year at UACVM. I enjoy exploring the great outdoors, scuba diving, listening to oldies, reading, a hot cup of tea, and almost anything geeky. I'm not sure what "type" of veterinarian I want to be, but hope to narrow it down within the next year! 

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I've enjoyed getting to know my peers this last year and a half and wanted to help voice their thoughts, opinions, and goals for UACVM.  

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

Strangely enough, I wanted to become a clinical social worker until my junior year of college. My career goals shifted to veterinary medicine when I met my dog's veterinarian. He was meticulous with his practice and a strong communicator. I also like to think my Grandma Johnson's kindheartedness towards animals molded my love for them. After all that, I came to the conclusion that veterinary medicine was where I needed to be. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

As a student representative, I want to ensure my colleagues voices are heard and to be a leeway for communication. I think mental health and its awareness is an imperative focus for veterinary students, faculty, and staff and hope to help with events and other activities involved with the subject. Overall, I'm striving to be a friendly face and a helping hand to my peers. 

Class of 2023 Student Rep: Ari Adams

Hello! My name is Arianna Adams and I am 23 years old. I am passionate about small animal GP and possibly exotics! 

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I like being a leader for my community while also learning and developing new skills. I want to be someone my community feels comfortable with.  

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

The influence for me to become a veterinarian was my chocolate lab named Angel that I got at the sweet age of 4 years old. She helped me to develop my love of animals. When she got sick, my passion for the field became stronger because I was helpless against her cancer. Getting experience in small animal clinics only solidified my love of taking care of families and their furry family members. 

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

I believe I can be approachable and a safe space for student questions, concerns, and ideas as well as represent our class in a positive light. 

Class of 2024 Student Rep: John La Bonte

Hi, my name is John La Bonte! I was born and raised in Southern California, but I plan to call the PNW home in the future. I love to hike, cook, and hope to travel much more after school.  

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I want to make an impact on the culture of the school and lay a strong foundation for future classes that will come after us. I want to be able to amplify the voices of my fellow classmates when they need support to make this the best place it can be for them. Lastly, I would like to be seen as a leader that people feel comfortable talking to and have them know that someone is on their side.  

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

I decided to pursue veterinary medicine because I want to give a voice to animals that cannot speak for themselves. Animals have had a profound impact on my life and there is nothing else that gives me the kind of joy that animals give to me. I also enjoy teaching others about their animals and feel humbled that I will be able to be the point person for my clients in the future.   

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

My main goal while in student government as a class representative is to be able to address the concerns of my classmates and actually be able to have solutions for issues that arise. I would also like to plan more events that incorporate both first and second-year students to create a better sense of community. 

Class of 2024 Student Rep: Abbie-Leigh Meneses

I was born and raised in southern California and attended the University of California, Merced where I majored in biology and minored in anthropology. I played soccer for four years, worked multiple jobs within the athletics department, and served as student-athlete president for both the school and league’s student-athlete governing body, as well as the national women’s soccer representative for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Why did you decide to pursue a leadership position at CVM? 

I decided to pursue the class representative position for the University of Arizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine so I could continue to foster my passion for leadership because I believe we have an important responsibility and amazing opportunity to build the culture that will last for years to come.

Tell us why you decided to pursue veterinary medicine. Were there any specific influences in your life that led you here? 

Being a veterinarian has been a lifelong dream of mine because I want to make a difference not just in the lives of pets and people in my local community, but also to help animals around the world. I believe that the University of Arizona is going to make a huge impact on the field of veterinary medicine and I am very proud to be a part of and represent the students who will take us there.

What goals do you have for your time in student government? 

My goal as class representative is to strongly embody the idea of servant leadership and to lead by example within our CVM family. I was generously supported and continuously inspired by my family and the doctors, technicians, and staff at Valley Animal Hospital back in California to follow my dreams and to push the boundaries for the field of veterinary medicine. I will be forever grateful for their love and know I would not be here without them.