Meet Our Student Ambassadors

We'd love to hear from you! Prospective students can email our ambassadors at dvmambassadors@usu.edu.

Payton Haskett

Payton Haskett

First-Year DVM Student

I am originally from Valencia, California, and I graduated from BYU with a BS in Biology. I chose USU because of the amazing faculty and staff, and because it allowed me to stay in Utah! I am interested in dermatology and immunology, and I want to pursue a dermatology residency after graduation. When I have free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and watching movies with my husband. My favorite Aggie Ice Cream flavor is Aggie Blue Mint!

Reagan Angus

Reagan Angus

First-Year DVM Student

Reagan Angus was born and raised in Vernal, Utah, where she grew up farming alongside her family. From a young age, she developed a deep passion for animals and the hard work that comes with caring for them. That passion has shaped her excitement for pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Reagan enjoys taking on leadership roles and thrives when she can support and motivate others. In her free time, she loves camping, reading, riding horses, playing pickleball, and spending quality time with her family.

Addy Brimhall

Addy Brimhall

First-Year DVM Student

Hi! I'm Addy, a first-year DVM student at Utah State University. I chose veterinary medicine because of my lifelong love for animals and my interest in emergency/critical care and surgery. I'm enthusiastic about combining science and compassion to make a meaningful difference for both animals and their owners.

I chose USU for its strong sense of community, supportive faculty, being part of a new program, and hands-on learning environment. I'm from Arizona, I completed my undergrad in Utah and fell in love with the mountains and outdoor lifestyle. Outside of school, I love doing anything and everything outside, but I especially love to get Bull Tracks from Aggie Ice Cream after a hike! I enjoy fishing, camping, riding horses, playing sports, hiking, snowboarding, etc. If you need an adventure buddy, let me know!

Maitland Luksan

Maitland Luksan

First-Year DVM Student

Hi! My name is Maitland and I am from Plymouth, Minnesota. I picked USU because everyone was so welcoming when I came to visit and I felt like I would thrive here. A little bit about me: I played collegiate lacrosse in my undergrad and will do anything to stay competitive in my free time! I love working out, being active, and playing board games! My veterinary interests include equine internal medicine and small animal emergency medicine where I enjoy the challenge, urgency, and problem-solving involved in patient care. I chose to pursue my DVM because my relationship with animals has profoundly shaped my life. They have given me so much and I want to be a strong voice for them in return. Through veterinary medicine, I hope to positively impact others by helping them experience the same meaningful connections with animals that have shaped who I am today.

Dave Foster

Dave Foster

First-Year DVM Student

I am a student at Utah State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, with a passion for small-animal and emergency medicine. Prior to pursuing my DVM, I spent over 11 years in healthcare IT, with an even longer background in information technology. After years in the field, I decided to make a career change to follow my passion for animals and my goal of becoming a business owner. The DVM pathway allows me to combine both interests in a meaningful and impactful way.

I chose Utah State University because of its strong academic reputation and my familiarity with northern Utah, having lived in the state for nearly 13 years previously. While the veterinary program is new, USU's long-standing involvement in the WIMU program gave me confidence in the school's foundation in veterinary education. I am very happy with my decision and grateful to be part of the inaugural years of the program. I grew up in Idaho but have lived in several places over the years. I am currently a Washington resident and consider the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West both important parts of my story. Outside of school, I enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors—hiking, fishing, hunting, running, camping, and boating are among my favorite activities. I also enjoy board games, with Plunder being my favorite. And, of course, my go-to Aggie Ice Cream flavor is Aggie Joy.

Shaylie Romprey

Shaylie Romprey

First-Year DVM Student

Hi guys!! My name is Shaylie, and I'm a first-year veterinary student at Utah State University. I've wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember, and I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else (because vet med is the best ;)). I did my undergrad at Southern Utah University, and choosing USU for vet school felt like the perfect next step. Staying in Utah was important to me, both because I love this state and because it's where I feel most at home. Also, because USU has their own creamery, my favorite is Aggie Blue Mint if you're wondering!

Outside of school, I love anything that gets me outdoors or lets me be creative. You can usually find me hunting, hiking, or working on some kind of craft project when I have free time. I also have a very handsome, quirky cat named Milo, who keeps life entertaining and reminds me every day of why I chose this profession in the first place.

I'm always happy to talk about the path to vet school, what life at USU is really like, or anything in between. I hope I can help you guys find your place here at USU and always remember, there's no single "right" path to becoming a veterinarian. Anyone can do it with enough heart, and I'd love to help you guys get there in any way I can. Go Aggies!!

Ali Maxfield

Ali Maxfield

First-Year DVM Student

I was raised on hard work and home-grown beef in the beautiful mountains of Kamas, Utah. I'm happiest on horseback, in the mountains, around a campfire, at the lake, watching the sunset, or with my nose buried in a good book. With an upbringing like mine, dreams of becoming a veterinarian were as inevitable as muddy boots. I plan to pursue a career in rural mixed animal medicine.

Zabel Human

Zabel Human

DVM Student Ambassador

My name is Zabel Human, and I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I am so excited to be an Aggie! My favorite Aggie ice cream flavor is the Aggie blue mint. I like to read, watch movies, cook, and hike! I am super excited to be an ambassador in this program. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Lindsey Porteous

Lindsey Porteous

First-Year DVM Student

Hi! My name is Lindsey Porteous. I am from Massachusetts, but have spent time in California, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas! I did my undergraduate in Oklahoma at Oklahoma State University. I studied Animal Science with a concentration in pre-veterinary sciences. During my time at Oklahoma State, I rode horses for their equestrian team. I have a passion for horses, especially equine sports medicine. I love to do crafts, spend time with friends, and travel to see my horses!