BlackDVM Network member Khangelani Mhlanga is originally from Zimbabwe and is currently an ER Veterinary Assistant at VEG in Newton, Massachusetts.
She completed her Bachelor's degree in 2022 from Ithaca College. Khangelani has shown a real passion for comparative medicine, One Health research, and finding sustainable solutions to mitigating human-wildlife conflict in communities that live in protected or underdeveloped areas. She has served as a Licensed Wildlife rehabilitator.
She applied to and received many offer letters from veterinary programs such as Cornell, Ohio State, and the Royal Veterinary College in London. Not many applicants receive admission to one, let alone seven programs. What an amazing achievement! Unfortunately, Khangelani is not a permanent resident of the United States. In order to enroll in a US veterinary program, she must show she holds funds, in cash, for the first year of school. OSU is approximately $101,000 and Cornell is approximately $88,000. Most of us can agree that is not an amount we have handy or can work a part-time job to achieve in short order.
Despite the obstacles placed in her way, Khangelani's determination propelled her to achieve her goal and make her dream of attending vet school a reality. In the spring of 2024, and Khangelani was accepted into the prestigious veterinary medicine program at Tufts University. She accepted the offer and was provided a strong financial aid package; however, she still needed to secure $50,000 in funding on her own to cover the remaining tuition cost. With the help of BlackDVM Network, a GoFundMe campaign was launched for Khangelani to help her reach her fundraising goal. Through the generosity and kindness of all of those who contributed, Khangelani was able to raise $20,000 in just a few months' time.
Khangelani--we are so proud of you and excited to watch you embark of this journey. Thank you to all of the supporters who continue to donate and organizations that are helping to turn Khangelani's dream into a reality.
If you or someone you know is interested in contributing to Khangelani's GoFundMe campaign, you can access the fundraiser page here.
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