UMO Graduate Mikaela Lawler Prepares for Veterinary School at Texas A&M
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – Mikaela Lawler has spent much of her life learning how to excel in demanding environments. Whether adapting to elite academic settings, competing as a collegiate athlete, or pursuing one of the most competitive professional tracks in higher education, she has built her success by continuing to challenge herself and refusing to choose the comfortable route.
A December University of Mount Olive graduate, Lawler is set to begin the next chapter of her journey this fall at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, entering one of the nation’s top-ranked veterinary programs.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Lawler moved to Houston, Texas, at age 10, an experience that exposed her early to major change and taught her how to adapt in unfamiliar settings. Her educational journey continued at The Kinkaid School, one of the nation’s premier college preparatory institutions, where she quickly learned to navigate rigorous academic demands and high expectations. “Stepping into that environment was intimidating,” Lawler said. “I had to decide early on whether I would retreat to what felt familiar or push myself toward what I was capable of becoming.”
Lawler arrived at UMO in Fall 2020 during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawn by the opportunity to continue her career as a student-athlete while pursuing a Veterinary bioscience degree. She also minored in chemistry and mathematics, creating an interdisciplinary academic foundation that positioned her for long-term success in veterinary medicine.
“I appreciated that UMO offered rigorous science preparation while also creating a close-knit environment where relationships with professors truly mattered,” Lawler said. “Being far from home, that sense of community made an enormous difference.”
At UMO, Lawler distinguished herself both academically and athletically. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors, earning a 3.94 overall GPA. She was also recognized as only the second women’s soccer player in University history to receive the Elite 23 award, reflecting her excellence in both scholarship and athletics.
Her five-year commitment to UMO Women’s Soccer proved to be one of the defining elements of her undergraduate experience. As a goalkeeper, Lawler developed not only technical skill, but also composure under pressure, leadership, and perseverance. Even after suffering a severe knee injury during her final collegiate season, she continued to serve her team, demonstrating the consistency and mental strength that will serve her well in veterinary medicine.
Lawler credits UMO’s close-knit campus environment and faculty mentorship as essential to her success. Through hands-on coursework, undergraduate research, and meaningful internships, she developed both scientific expertise and a broader understanding of veterinary medicine’s emotional and collaborative demands.
Her undergraduate research on arsenic filtration in freshwater bivalves strengthened her analytical and scientific reasoning, while clinical internships at Briargrove Animal Clinic and the Houston Humane Society Wildlife Center exposed her to the realities of patient care, client communication, conservation, and medical decision-making.
These experiences reinforced Lawler’s growing passion for small animal specialty care and the broader concept of One Health, the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health.
Lawler’s acceptance to Texas A&M follows offers from several prestigious veterinary schools, including the University of Pennsylvania. Ultimately, she chose Texas A&M for its culture. “Texas A&M felt like a place where I would be challenged, supported, and pushed to become the kind of veterinarian I aspire to be,” Lawler said. “The culture of service, accountability, and collaboration truly resonated with me.”
Looking ahead, Lawler hopes to pursue specialization in small animal medicine, potentially in internal medicine, while also contributing to collaborative research that advances veterinary science. “I want to be part of moving the profession forward,” Lawler said. “Whether through clinical care, research, or mentorship, I hope to make a meaningful impact on both animals and the people who care for them.”
Throughout her journey, Lawler remains deeply grateful for the support of her family, particularly her parents, Gretchen and Sean Lawler, and her older brother, Colin, whose example of discipline and encouragement helped guide her path.
From elite classrooms to collegiate athletics to one of the nation’s leading veterinary schools, Lawler’s story reflects a continued willingness to embrace challenge and grow through it—qualities that position her well for the demanding and rewarding road ahead.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
