Veterinary school is demanding, and no one should have to navigate it alone. The SMART program connects DVM students with faculty and staff mentors who can provide guidance, perspective, and support throughout the program. SMART is designed to help you build meaningful faculty and staff relationships, strengthen your academic and professional development, and make a smoother transition through each stage of veterinary training.
Meet Your SMART Advisors
SMART Advising connects every DVM student with a faculty or staff advisor who can serve as a consistent point of connection throughout the veterinary program. Advisors can help students navigate academic questions, identify resources, think through challenges and opportunities, set goals, and make informed decisions about their veterinary education and professional development.
Your Advisor & Your Advising Team
Each student is assigned a primary SMART Advisor based on the alphabetical ranges below. Your assigned advisor provides a consistent point of contact and helps us make sure every student has someone intentionally looking out for their progress and success. Your assigned advisor is not your only advisor.
Students are welcome to meet with any SMART Advisor, regardless of their alphabetical assignment. You may choose another advisor because of availability, an existing relationship, a particular area of experience, or simply because you would value another perspective. Think of your assigned advisor as your home base and the entire SMART Advising team as a resource available to you.
Michael S. Bishop
Director of Student Affairs
Assigned Students: Adams - Grimes
Michael works with students across the DVM program through the Office of Student Services and can assist with navigating the program, academic and student-support resources, professional development, problem-solving, and connecting students with appropriate college and university resources.
Cathleen Kovarik, DVM, PhD
Professional Practice Associate Professor | Director of Veterinary Admissions
Assigned Students: Hammer - May
Dr. Kovarik is a veterinarian, neuroscientist, anatomist, and faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her teaching and professional experience provide students with a faculty perspective on veterinary education, academic development, and progression through the DVM program.
Mahesh Sivasubramanian, DVM, PhD
Professional Practice Assistant Professor | Anatomist
Assigned Students: Mayer - Schenk
Dr. Sivasubramanian is a veterinarian and faculty member whose teaching interests include veterinary gross anatomy, comparative and applied anatomy, neuroanatomy, and microscopic anatomy. He brings both veterinary and academic perspectives to the SMART advising team.
Alexis Sweat, DVM
Assistant Professor
Assigned Students: Simper - Zwygart
Dr. Sweat is a veterinarian and faculty member with experience in clinical veterinary medicine, veterinary education, agriculture, and clinical instruction. Her work with veterinary students includes helping prepare them to develop the clinical skills needed for later stages of the DVM program and veterinary practice.
Why SMART Matters
A strong mentoring relationship can help you:
- Understand expectations in veterinary school
- Ask better questions and seek help earlier
- Reflect on your progress and goals
- Build confidence in professional communication
- Connect your coursework to your long-term career development
SMART is not just for students who are struggling. It is for every student who wants to grow, improve, and make the most of their veterinary education.
What You Can Expect
Through SMART, students are encouraged to connect with faculty/staff mentors for support in areas such as:
- Academic planning and success strategies
- Professional identity development
- Career exploration
- Clinical readiness and growth
- Navigating challenges and transitions within the program
Your mentor may help you think through questions such as:
- How am I doing academically?
- What should I focus on improving this semester?
- How do I build stronger study habits?
- How do I approach faculty with questions?
- What areas of veterinary medicine interest me most?
What SMART Advising Is... and Isn't
SMART advisors are excellent first contacts for academic progress, professional development, navigating veterinary school, identifying resources, and general guidance. They don’t replace formal academic policy processes, mental-health services, disability accommodations, financial-aid specialists, or emergency services. The advisor’s role is often to help the student get to the right resource, rather than personally solve every issue.
Not Sure Who to Meet With?
Start with your assigned SMART Advisor, or choose any advisor with whom you feel comfortable. If another person or resource would be better suited to your question, your advisor can help connect you.
You don’t have to know where to go before asking for help. SMART Advising can be the place you start.