TEACHING WITH HEART
// By Keagan Slocum (LA’24)
TEACHING WITH HEART
// By Keagan Slocum (LA’24)
When Sandra San Miguel first saw the billiards room in the Purdue Memorial Union, she knew Purdue was the place for her.
At the time, San Miguel (DVM’93, MS V’94, PhD V’97) was an undergraduate student at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. She was in town for an interview at Purdue’s School of Veterinary Medicine—now the College of Veterinary Medicine—and decided to see what the university had to offer. Little did she know, Purdue and the Greater Lafayette area would become her forever home.
“I loved to shoot pool, and I was an avid juggler,” San Miguel says. “I saw the huge billiards room in the Union and then saw someone carrying juggling clubs and followed them to a juggling club meeting—that’s what got me here. My first day on campus as a student, I went to the juggling club and met my now husband, best friend, and soulmate—he’s what kept me here.”
Well, that, and the college itself—which is widely considered one of the premier veterinary programs in the United States, known for its hands-on approach to teaching and learning.
“My time in veterinary school was unlike anything I had ever experienced,” San Miguel says. “It was the first time in my life I felt like I had something to lose if I didn’t succeed.”
Despite her anxieties, San Miguel never felt alone in her studies. She had a support system of mentors, professors, peers, and administrators who wanted to see her succeed.
Today, she gets to show the same support she was given as a student.
After earning three advanced degrees from Purdue, San Miguel is now a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the college’s associate dean for community engagement. She oversees lifelong learning, global engagement, extension, alumni relations, special events, public affairs, and communications within the college.
“It’s the best job ever!” San Miguel says. “Every day, I get to surround myself with welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and supportive people who share the same core values that make our world a better place. I work with people in all phases of life—from elementary school to retirement years—and it’s incredible to follow their journeys and be a part of them.”
San Miguel is also the founder and leader of the League of VetaHumanz, which provides access and support across the globe for under-resourced children who aspire to be in veterinary-based careers. The organization delivers customized science curriculum and develops additional educational resources.
As part of the League of VetaHumanz, Purdue’s Veterinary Medicine teams partners with Bauer Community Center to deliver lessons for an after-school program. The goal was to create what San Miguel calls a “STEM ecosystem.”
In creating VetaHumanz, San Miguel was inspired by the concept of metahumans from the fictional DC Universe—a group of humans who develop latent powers after experiencing physiological stress.
With San Miguel’s VetaHumanz concept, when aspiring veterinarians—or those already practicing—overcome challenges regarding vet school, practice, and life, their veterinary superpowers are activated.
“I didn’t think I would be able to recruit anyone to a ‘STEM ecosystem,’ so I decided to turn it into a superhero league instead,” she says.
And it worked. Veterinarians across multiple institutions are members, serving as role models who deliver either in-person or virtual lessons—all while sporting capes and a superhero alter ego. There are 35 VetaHumanz on Purdue’s team.
San Miguel’s superhero name? Pink Phoenix.
And her advice to others? “Use your powers for good.”
Outside of Purdue, San Miguel is just as active. In addition to her roles as a professor, associate dean, and superhero, she teaches at Miller Elementary in Lafayette and at Center for Inquiry School 2 in Indianapolis. She also teaches virtually at Jones Paideia Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee.
Teaching isn’t the only thing San Miguel does in her spare time. After a decade of powerlifting, she decided it was time for a new adventure—roller derby.
San Miguel signed up to be a part of Lafayette Roller Derby despite the fact that she had never roller-skated. Now, she is learning to skate and practicing all the right moves in preparation for a skills test she must pass before she can play.
“My back and my knee were begging me to change sports before irreversible damage was done,” San Miguel jokes. “Learning to skate is quite the challenge, but I’m loving it! And I also love Lafayette Roller Derby’s commitment to giving back to our community.”
San Miguel is thankful for the community she has built for herself at Purdue. It’s one of the reasons why she’s given back to the university since 1996.
She says she started out by making small gifts, really only donating for better basketball seats. But then she realized how her contributions were helping the university and the community she calls home.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the incredible humans that helped me get here,” San Miguel says. “Purdue has given me so much, and I want to return the favor.”
Her most recent gifts have honored Willie Reed, the dean emeritus for the College of Veterinary Medicine, who provided San Miguel with the opportunity of becoming the first associate dean for engagement.
“I can’t put into words what a profound influence Purdue people have had, and continue to have, on my career and life,” San Miguel says. “They’ve given me the skills to teach, practice, and do impactful research with integrity.”
She believes it’s important to give back as a way of supporting students as they embark on their academic journeys as Boilermakers.
“When I first saw the impact of our work in the community and our college, that’s when I realized the true importance of giving, whether it’s through giving funds or our time.”
Pictured: San Miguel received the 2020 Iverson Bell Award from Michael Lairmore, president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in academic veterinary medicine through impactful contributions.
San Miguel is thankful for the community she has built for herself at Purdue. It’s one of the reasons why she’s given back to the university since 1996.
She says she started out by making small gifts, really only donating for better basketball seats. But then she realized how her contributions were helping the university and the community she calls home.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the incredible humans that helped me get here,” San Miguel says. “Purdue has given me so much, and I want to return the favor.”
Her most recent gifts have honored Willie Reed, the dean emeritus for the College of Veterinary Medicine, who provided San Miguel with the opportunity of becoming the first associate dean for engagement.
“I can’t put into words what a profound influence Purdue people have had, and continue to have, on my career and life,” San Miguel says. “They’ve given me the skills to teach, practice, and do impactful research with integrity.”
She believes it’s important to give back as a way of supporting students as they embark on their academic journeys as Boilermakers.
“When I first saw the impact of our work in the community and our college, that’s when I realized the true importance of giving, whether it’s through giving funds or our time.”
San Miguel received the 2020 Iverson Bell Award from Michael Lairmore, president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in academic veterinary medicine through impactful contributions.
San Miguel received the 2020 Iverson Bell Award from Michael Lairmore, president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in academic veterinary medicine through impactful contributions.
Built with Shorthand