Pre-Vet Virtual Event
If you’re dreaming of a future in veterinary medicine, there’s no better place to start than Mississippi State University. Our Pre-Vet Virtual Panel gives you an inside look at how MSU prepares students for success in vet school and beyond. Hear from current pre-vet students, veterinary school students, and practicing veterinarians who all began their journeys at MSU. Learn how our supportive faculty, hands-on animal experience, research opportunities, and strong advising set Bulldogs apart. Join us Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. CT to discover why MSU is the right first step toward a career caring for animals.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Jack Smith serves as the Associate Dean and a Professor for MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Coleman hails from Corinth, Mississippi. He attended Northeast Mississippi Community College before transferring to Mississippi State University. In addition to his veterinary degree, he also holds a B.S. in Wildlife Fisheries & Aquaculture Science. He specializes in dermatology, internal medicine, and surgery.
In 2021, Dr. Coleman graduated with two distinct honors — the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) award for Proficiency in Primary Care and the American Academy of Dermatology’s award for Excellence in Veterinary Dermatology. He is also a proud member of the American and Mississippi Veterinary Medical Associations.
Dr. Coleman enjoys camping, hiking, and fishing. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Starkville.
Ches Grisham is a first-year veterinary student at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Arab, Alabama, Ches participated in the MSU CVM Early Entry Program and arrived at Mississippi State University in August 2021, spending all four undergraduate years in Starkville. Ches graduated in May 2025 with degrees in Poultry Science and Biological Sciences. After completing veterinary school, Ches plans to pursue a master’s degree in avian medicine and build a career in the poultry industry.
Ches chose to pursue veterinary school out of a deep interest in biology and a fascination with how body systems work together to support life. A strong passion for working with animals made the decision even clearer. The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Starkville community have become a second home, and Ches is grateful for the opportunity to remain there for several more years. With numerous opportunities for involvement and professional growth, MSU provides an excellent environment for students to explore their interests and prepare for future success.
Alyssa Heath is originally from Petal, Mississippi, and earned her B.S. in Microbiology from Mississippi State University in December 2021. She is currently a fourth-year DVM student and plans to pursue a pathology residency after graduating in May. Alyssa is passionate about protecting the human–animal bond and looks forward to a career focused on lifelong learning and helping others.
Alex Jones, from Columbus, Mississippi, earned her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University’s College of Forest Resources before completing her Master of Public Health degree. She is currently a fourth-year veterinary student at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and will remain at MSU-CVM after graduation as a Food Animal Intern.
From a young age, Alex knew she wanted to become a veterinarian. Growing up on a small hobby farm, she developed a deep appreciation for large animals and a strong commitment to their well-being. Those early experiences shaped her passion for food animal medicine and continue to guide her professional goals. As a future food animal veterinarian, she is eager to contribute to the One Health initiative by promoting animal health, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of the communities that rely on both.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Alex has a particular love for beef cattle and even owns cattle herself. She finds the industry both fascinating and full of opportunity, and she is excited to play a role in advancing the future of our food system through such a meaningful and rewarding field.
Dr. Marion Welsh, DVM, is a Jackson, Mississippi, native who has known since grade school that she was called to veterinary medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Mississippi State University before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Driven by a deep commitment to fostering the human–animal bond, Dr. Welsh is passionate about ensuring families experience the same unconditional love from their pets that shaped her own life.
She finds joy in client education, community outreach, and collaborating with her veterinary team, and she thrives in both straightforward preventative care and complex diagnostic cases. Her special interests include feline medicine, senior pet care, physical therapy, and surgery — the operating room is her happy place! Dr. Welsh is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them. Now proud to call Memphis home, she embraces the city’s food, music, and unmistakable Southern hospitality. At home, she is kept on her toes by her own cat, Mumford, who reminds her daily why she chose this profession.
Grace Windham is a sophomore from Vicksburg, Mississippi, majoring in Animal and Dairy Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She has wanted to become a veterinarian for as long as she can remember and was fortunate to be accepted into Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine Early Entry Program in 2024.
She is passionate about studying both small and large animals, with a particular interest in equine and bovine medicine. Her desire to pursue veterinary medicine stems from a deep love and respect for the role animals play in our world, often in ways that go unnoticed. Whether as companions, working animals, or as part of the agricultural system, animals contribute greatly to people’s lives. As a future veterinarian, Grace hopes to give back by helping ensure animals remain healthy and able to live happy lives while continuing to improve the lives of those around them.