Student Ambassadors

Keatley Hofer

Hi everyone! My name is Keatley Hofer, and I’m a member of the CCVM Class of 2027. I grew up in Sherwood, Oregon, but I lived in Chicago for many years before moving back for vet school, and so I consider both places home! I have a BS in English Literature and actually worked in writing and editing at a law firm for several years after college, before deciding I needed a career change and falling in love with veterinary medicine.

Jaycie Ota

Hi my name is Jaycie Ota and I am from Honolulu, Hawaii! I attended undergrad at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and graduated in 2023 in Animal Sciences. Purdue was great but I wanted to be closer to home so now I am here as a member of the Class of 2027! My focus is in small animal general practice but I plan on keeping an open mind and seeing where my interests take me. You’ll also see me around campus as an officer in Shelter Medicine Club, SCAVSAB (Animal Behavior) and the SAVMA Wellness Co-Chair.  

Simran Nagi

Hi! My name is Simran Nagi, and I’m a third-year veterinary student at CCVM (Class of 2027) and a concurrent MS student. I was born in Punjab, India, and grew up in Santa Rosa, California before moving to Oregon, where I completed my undergrad in Biology at Oregon State University. Prior to vet school, I worked in the veterinary field for many years before and after graduating from tech school.

Maggie Mysz

Hello! My name is Maggie Mysz (she/her) and I am in the class of 2027 here at CCVM. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and completed my B.S. in Microbiology and MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota. I have lived and worked in Bakersfield and Sacramento, CA and Bend, OR. I didn’t always know I wanted to become a vet. I worked in the public health field for 6 years before deciding I wanted a career change. 6 months shy of my 30th birthday, I shadowed a veterinarian and knew this was the career for me.

Raven Green

Hello! My name is Raven Green (she/her) and I am a mixed race queer student in the Class of 2026. I am a WICHE student from Las Vegas, Nevada. Before coming to OSU, I completed my bachelors degree at the University of Nevada, Reno in Veterinary Sciences with a minor in Business! Some of my interests include feline medicine, exotics, and low cost care alternatives. I am tracking small animal and hoping to focus my extra time on pocket pets. I am the Treasurer for the Class of 2026 and the Veterinary Students Advancing Diversity Club as well as the school OVMA Senior Representative!

Madison Escobar

Hello! My name is Madison Escobar (she/her) and I am a member of the Class of 2027! I have lived in Corvallis most of my life, and completed my undergraduate degree at Washington State University studying Animal Science. While much of my experience comes from small animal clinics and shelters, I enjoy working with dairy cows too! In undergrad, I learned how to AI and palpate pregnancies at different gestation lengths: I find ruminant reproduction very interesting!   

Harper Grant

Hello! My name is Harper (She/Her) and I am a trans woman, American Heartworm Society student liaison, and member of the class of 2026. I’m from eastern Pennsylvania and completed my undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Delaware Valley University. I don’t know what field of veterinary medicine I want to focus on, but I love every one I experience. I’ve managed to get experience working with a plethora of species: horses, chickens and goats on a therapeutic riding farm, cattle on a dairy, and dogs and cats at a small animal clinic.

Luis Salazar Chavez

Hello! My name is Luis, and I am a current second year student (Class of 2026) who is currently interested in all species! While I’m still undecided, I currently plan to track small animal but will do my best to be able to incorporate exotic species. I hope to be able to work in a small or mixed practice that includes exotic species as well in the future. However, the idea of specializing also heavily interests me, so at the moment I am not too sure what the future will hold but I’m excited about all the opportunities that may be available to me!

Jose Caracheo

Hey! My name is Jose Caracheo and I am part of the Class of 2026 for the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine here at Oregon State University. I am originally from Los Angeles, California, but I completed my undergraduate at the University of California, Davis. I have a B.S. in Animal Science with a specialization in aquatic animals and aquaculture. I am currently the Diversity Chair for the Class of 2026, Co-Chair of OLEADs for the Student American Veterinary Medicine Association, and member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Awareness Committee.

Emilia Starchvick

Hello! My name is Emmie Starchvick (she/her), I am a part of the class of 2026 at the CCVM! I am from a very small town in Southern Oregon called Jacksonville but went to Baltimore, MD for my undergraduate degree. I attended Goucher College and majored in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. Vet med wise I am interested in shelter med, ophthalmology, or working with service dog organizations, but there are so many cool options so who knows! In my free time I love to play golf, kayak, hang out with friends, garden, and I am a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind.