Katie Merrell is an Academic Coordinator and Pre-Veterinary Mentor at the University of Kentucky, where she supports students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine through individualized mentorship, academic advising, and career preparation. In her role, she works closely with students to develop competitive veterinary school applications, explore experiential learning opportunities, and navigate the pre-veterinary pathway with confidence. She also leads the development of pre-veterinary programming, including workshops, structured advising initiatives, and recruitment efforts designed to support student success and access to the profession.
Katie is actively involved in creating and expanding pre-veterinary outreach programs, including immersive pre-vet camps that provide hands-on learning experiences and early exposure to the field. She works to connect students with current veterinary students and professionals, helping them build meaningful networks and gain insight into the profession.
Katie holds a Master of Science in Agriculture and a Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Hospital Management from Murray State University, as well as both a Bachelor and Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Morehead State University. She is a Licensed Veterinary Technologist and holds multiple professional certifications, including Fear Free Certified Professional and AAEVT Certified Equine Veterinary Technician.
She previously served as an Instructor and Large Animal Clinician at Morehead State University, where she taught veterinary technology courses and worked closely with students in clinical and laboratory settings to develop their technical and professional skills.
Katie also maintains an active role in clinical veterinary medicine as an Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, where she works with neonatal intensive care patients, high-risk mares, and a variety of equine medical cases.
She is passionate about creating opportunities that inspire, support, and prepare students to successfully pursue careers in veterinary medicine and make a meaningful impact in the field.