Finding her path in animal sciences
G
rowing up in Houston, Texas, Mel Sercu knew she wanted a future working closely with animals. Now an animal sciences major with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine and a minor in biotechnology, she is building that future, one hands-on experience at a time.
With the plan to graduate in winter 2026, Sercu chose Purdue for its strong academic reputation and the opportunities it provides beyond the classroom.
A Place to Belong
“I committed before visiting, which was a little scary. But when I arrived, it felt like home. Even though Purdue is a Big Ten school, it’s not intimidating. The culture and community made it feel welcoming right away.”
A supportive and driven community
Within the Department of Animal Sciences, Sercu quickly found a community that balances motivation with support. She describes the environment as one where students push each other to succeed while also lifting one another up.
“There’s always something happening,” she said. “New research, events and opportunities. Even though it’s a large department, professors and advisors make it feel personal.”
learning by doing
One of Sercu's favorite classes may be surprising. Often considered one of the most challenging courses, Anatomy and Physiology has been invigorating.
“It’s hard, but in the best way,” she said. “Seeing biology and chemistry come together in ways that directly relate to my future career is so rewarding. The hands-on labs make a huge difference and having professors who genuinely want you to succeed changes everything.”
Beyond the classroom, Sercu has taken full advantage of opportunities within the College of Agriculture. Through her involvement with MANRRS, she found a space to grow professionally, build leadership skills and connect with industry professionals. She currently serves as the organization’s public relations coordinator, combining creativity with leadership.
She has also stepped into a new role as a College of Agriculture ambassador, connecting with prospective students and giving back to the community that has helped shape her college experience.
“I love being able to support students who are where I once was,” she said.
Sercu holds lamb at Purdue's Animal Sciences and Research and Education Center (ASREC) 
Sercu interned at Camp Fiver working with horses and kids. 
Sercu's undergraduate research with the Erasmus Research Lab has a poultry welfare focus gaining experience beyond campus
Working in the Erasmus Research Lab, Sercu has gained experience in poultry welfare research, data collection, basic medical care and time management. The experience gave her a glimpse into graduate programs while building skills that translate directly to industry and veterinary medicine.
Her summers have been just as impactful. She served as an assistant barn manager at Camp Fiver in New York, a summer camp for at-risk youth. There, she helped care for horses, assisted with diet and health management and eventually led riding classes.
“Watching kids grow confident around horses was incredibly meaningful,” she said. “By the end of the summer, those horses became companions to them.”
agriculture from a global perspective
Sercu's love of learning and travel also led her to study abroad in New Zealand, an experience she describes as transformational. There, she explored animal agriculture practices that differ significantly from those in the United States, including fully automated dairy operations that use collar technology instead of physical fencing.
“It completely changed how I think about animal welfare and sustainability,” she said.
Beyond agriculture, she also gained a deeper appreciation for Māori culture and the strong connection between people, land and nature.
Do your research, meet people and trust yourself,” she said. “Purdue has given me incredible support, opportunities and a true sense of home, even though I’m 800 miles from where I grew up.”
Looking ahead, Sercu hopes to become a veterinarian working in mixed practice medicine or pharmacology. She is confident that the experiences she has gained at Purdue have prepared her for what comes next.
Featured Stories
It’s a field she knows well, a field she has run up and down countless times. Now she is...
Sarah Grimes’ work in the Pijanowski lab focuses on how sustainable management practices at...
Land plants have spent nearly half a billion years honing a vast array of metabolic skills that...
Senior Sam Lillie provides a recap of the Week 3 action during the Sustainable Natural Resources...
Coffee makers are everywhere — from kitchens to office break rooms — brewing up...
Global partnerships strengthen Purdue animal genetics research.