Aspiring Vet Spends Summers Caring for Distressed Wildlife

Biology Major Makes Mark on Campus by Establishing Pre-Veterinary Club

Ayiana Martin came to Seton Hill knowing she wanted to pursue veterinary medicine.

While some may think of veterinary medicine as focusing on household pets or farm animals, Ayiana has spent three summers working with the types of species that are naturally found in local environments as an intern with Wildlife Works Inc.

The volunteer-based, non-profit organization has its facility in Youngwood, Pa. – not far from Seton Hill – and helps rehabilitate and release distressed wildlife and promote responsible attitudes about the preservation of native species, habitat, and the environment.

“Wildlife is a broad term for the many animals that play a vital role in our environment. These animals are often overlooked, which can lead to harmful impacts and the mistreatment of native species,” Ayiana said. “Seton Hill has laid the foundation to help understand the roles wildlife plays, as well as knowing the biological processes of animals in general to better cater to a wide range of animal patients.”

Ayiana originally found her placement with Wildlife Works Inc. as part of the Experience Works Plus program, which is coordinated by the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board. Her placement at Wildlife Works has given her hands-on experience with what she studies in her biology major by working with many different types of animals.

“Working with wildlife has helped shape my future going forward. I plan to continue my education with a focus on care and advocacy,” Ayiana said. “I want to give a voice to the many wild species who are being negatively impacted by human development.”

She has now spent three summers engaging with everything from small animals – such as robins and squirrels – to larger animals like possums, hawks, and turkey vultures, but one of her highlights has been working with the woodpeckers, in particular the Northern Flicker.

“My favorite experience was raising seven Northern Flickers from nestlings to adults. It was so rewarding to help animals grow from babies into adulthood with no losses,” Ayiana said. “Working at Wildlife Works Inc. was a real joy and encouraged my love towards avians, solidifying that I wish to work with them in my future career.”

The biology major has taken advantage of several opportunities throughout her undergraduate years to help her get closer to her goal.

On campus, she has played a key role in the Sr. M. Muriel Flamman Greenhouse with her creative ideas to build community around this unique feature of campus, such as holding Suzie’s Birthday Bash for Seton Hill’s resident eastern box turtle Suzie in the fall semester.

“Her skills at making connections allowed the greenhouse to have collaborative events that I plan to continue in the years to come,” said Assistant Professor of Biology Renee Rosier, who is Ayiana’s advisor and has worked closely with during her time at Seton Hill. “I am also grateful for her stewardship of our resident eastern box turtle, Suzie. Ayiana put her skills from wildlife rehab to practice by creating care sheets to make sure Suzie has everything she needs. Ayiana is a change maker and will certainly live the University’s mission to transform the world.”

Martin is also a Grant Scholar as part of the competitive Ruth O’Block Grant Endowed Scholarship Program, through which a select cohort of students benefit from the mentorship of business and community leaders. Each Grant Scholar is paired with a Grant Scholar Mentor, who meets with them regularly to provide guidance and help them navigate their educational path throughout the undergraduate experience.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to connect with my Grant Scholar Mentor, veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Harr, a Seton Hill alumna. Dr. Harr offers so much helpful advice and encouraging hope for my plan to become a veterinarian,” Ayiana said. “The mentorship component of The Ruth O’Block Grant Endowed Scholarship Program continues to be an invaluable resource to aid me and help my peers. Through my relationship with Dr. Harr, I’ve been able to create my own path – and assist others in their journeys.”

One of the ways she is helping guide her peers is as the president of the Pre-Veterinary Club, which started in the 2025-26 academic year.

“When I came to campus I was wonderfully excited to find there were others like me hoping to go to veterinarian school or work in animal medicine,” Ayiana said. “We’re all spread out through different science majors here on the Hill such as biology, chemistry, pre-med, etc.”

In working with students across these various majors, Dr. Renee Rosier had noticed a need for a club that would bring them together and brought the idea forward to those who she thought would be interested. When a leader didn’t come forward, Ayiana began personally asking her fellow students if they would join the club.

“When I signed up to show my interest in the club my sophomore year, I wasn't expecting to actually lead it,” she remarked. “I spoke to student involvement about making the club possible because I wanted the Pre-Vet Club to exist. With the support of Dr. Rosier, I put together a first meeting to vote for officers. After some more members joined, I became president to fill that need.”

“Ayiana embodies the Setonian spirit, and I have been fortunate to be able to see her flourish from freshman to senior year,” said Dr. Rosier, who serves as the club’s advisor. “She has a legacy at Seton Hill because of her dedicated work to form the Pre-Veterinary Club. I have learned so much from Ayiana and use her input as we work to design a pre-veterinary track for the biology major.”

Since founding the club, she has seen growing interest and has been able to organize social, educational, and fundraising events while connecting similarly-interested students. The club grew from an initial six members to 28 and is heading into its second year.

“We have gained support from professors, students, and organizations on and off campus and had a successful first year. Our first ever off-campus event was held at the Pittsburgh Zoo to see behind the scenes, and we had a service event at Bun Rabit's Rescue here in Greensburg,” Ayiana said. “We're a smaller club but growing and able to do big things with the work of a few.”