Instead of returning home for the summer, Riley Carpenter spent the summer in Ames when a new opportunity in the College of Veterinary Medicine presented itself.

“The STAR mentorship program was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a specialty field that I was interested in exploring more deeply,” the second-year veterinary student said. “Part of my thinking was to figure out if a specialty pathway would be right for me since I had little prior experience in this area.”

Carpenter is particularly interested in cardiology. Thanks to the new STAR (Student Training for Advancement to Residency) program, she gained invaluable insights in that field including observing a wide variety of cases and cardiac diseases.
“One of the many highlights of the program has been observing advanced cardiology procedures,” she said. “Watching surgeries like a patent ductus arteriosus occlusion and a ballon valvuloplasty and getting to work with patients from their pre-op appointments to their re-checks has provided me with valuable insight.”

The 12-week paid summer mentorship and clinical immersion program embeds rising second- and third-year veterinary students within a clinical service. Students are paired with a faculty mentor and attend weekly structured professional development seminars focused on career exploration within advanced training pathways.

Carpenter was one of six Iowa State veterinary students in the inaugural STAR cohort. Throughout the summer, students gained hands-on experiences and skill development with the idea of making informed career decisions.

“Being able to get hands-on and work directly with my faculty and house officer mentors have solidified for me that I want to become a surgeon,” said third-year student Cordell Vrbka.

STAR has simulated what life as a veterinary surgeon will be like for Vrbka. This summer he has performed physical exams, orthopedic and neurological exams, interpreted radiographs, CT, and MRI results as well as scrubbing in on soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries.

“The early mornings, late nights, and on-call shifts have shown me the day-to-day realities of a career in surgery,” he said. “Before participating in STAR, I was unsure if I even wanted to specialize.
“STAR has given me the opportunity to explore what a career in veterinary specialization and in academia would look like, which has made me realize that I want to become a boarded small animal surgeon.”

STAR is the brainchild of Dr. Jessica Ward, associate dean for academic programs.

“The STAR program is designed to help students explore opportunities that align with their interests, and give them the skills, mentorship, and exposure needed to succeed if they choose to pursue advanced clinical training,” Ward said.

In addition to cardiology and surgery, this year’s STAR students are also embedded in oncology, ophthalmology, equine surgery and pathology in Iowa State’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.

Third-year student Molly Hoffenberg is working in oncology this summer where she has been involved in appointments, chemotherapy treatments and diagnostic workups.

“I’ve had opportunities to review cases, ask questions, and learn how treatment plans are developed for individual patients,” Hoffenberg said. “I’ve also spent time with the soft tissue surgery and radiation oncology services to gain a broader understanding of the paths I can take within veterinary oncology after graduation.”

Like her fellow STAR students, second-year student Kelsey Frishman is not only learning about her chosen field – pathology – but is enjoying her summer.

“I’ve had a blast learning so much every day, thanks to the support from everyone in the Pathology Department,” she said. “The program has really helped me see all the different sides of pathology.

“That has been great for making my decision regarding which discipline I want to practice.”

Each day in the STAR program, Frishman works with her mentors to review biopsy and histology slides from cases that come from the necropsy floor.

“I’ve really enjoyed looking through textbooks to make my own diagnoses, then walking through my thoughts with my mentors,” Frishman said. “I already knew I wanted to go into pathology and my time in the STAR program has strongly reaffirmed by desire to pursue a residency in pathology.”

The interaction between the students and their faculty mentors has been a highlight of the program for Carpenter, Frishman and Vrbka.

“My faculty mentor has taken the time to explain each step of a procedure or a diagnostics test,” Carpenter said. “This has allowed me to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of cardiology concepts.”

For Ward, the students’ enthusiasm and growth have confirmed the program is accomplishing exactly what it was designed to do.

“Seeing these students become more confident, engaged, and excited about future specialization has been incredibly rewarding,” Ward said. “The mentorship and hands-on experience they’re gaining now will serve them well throughout veterinary school and beyond.”

July 2026