Spotlight Series: Skye Starbuck

After returning home from North Texas during a challenging time in her life, Skye Starbuck decided to start over and pursue a college education. In 2013, she enrolled at Palo Alto College, unsure of what lay ahead but determined to build a future of her own. That’s when she discovered the Veterinary Technology Program.

“I came in for a tour, and I instantly fell in love,” she recalled. “I knew this was where I was supposed to be.”

That moment marked the beginning of a journey that would not only shape her career but ultimately bring her back to the very place where it all started.

Starbuck entered the program as part of the 2014 cohort and graduated in 2016. Like many students, her path was not without challenges.

“This was not an easy program for me,” she said. “I wanted to quit many times.”

But encouragement from faculty and a deep desire to succeed kept her going. Earning her degree and becoming a licensed veterinary technician was a milestone she describes as life-changing.

“It was the first time I accomplished something that felt truly significant,” she said. “Crossing that stage meant everything to me.”

After gaining hands-on experience in both exotic and small animal practices, including what she would have then described as her “dream job,” Starbuck was invited back to Palo Alto College in 2018. She didn’t hesitate.

Today, she leads the program that once shaped her, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding to her role. 

Now, as Academic Program Coordinator, no two days look the same.

“I never know what I’m walking into,” Starbuck said. “Some days I’m a problem solver, other days I’m a counselor, a teacher, or a mentor.”

That variety is part of what she loves most. While administrative responsibilities and accreditation standards are a significant part of her role, it’s her work with students that stands out.

“I love being able to encourage them,” she said. “To remind them that a bad day is just one moment, and that how they respond to it shapes who they become.”

Her connection to students runs deep, shaped by her own experiences in the program. She understands the rigor, the self-doubt, and the perseverance it takes to succeed, and she makes it her mission to ensure students feel supported every step of the way.

For Starbuck, success isn’t measured solely in graduation degrees awarded; it’s measured in impact. 

Starbuck recalls one student in particular who struggled early on and nearly lost her way. Refusing to give up on her, Starbuck provided guidance, tutoring, and consistent encouragement.

“I saw something in her that she couldn’t see in herself yet,” she said.

That student went on to graduate and now works in a specialty emergency practice.

“If we impact even one student’s life, we’ve done our job,” Starbuck said. “And I know we did.”

Moments like these are why graduation and the program’s pinning ceremony are so emotional for her.

“They’re no longer just students,” she explained. “They become our colleagues. Watching them reach that point, it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

With nearly 30 years of history, Palo Alto College’s Veterinary Technology Program has built a strong reputation across the region. Its graduates are highly sought after, with many going on to work in specialized fields or returning to give back as instructors.

“We have so many staff members who graduated from this program,” Starbuck said. “That says a lot about what we’ve built here.”

The program emphasizes hands-on learning, offering open labs, tutoring, and flexible scheduling to help students balance coursework with clinical experience. Faculty remain deeply engaged, creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing.

“This is a safe place to learn,” Starbuck said. “You don’t have to know everything, that’s why you’re here.”

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the program, and students regularly apply their skills through community-focused initiatives.

One of the most anticipated is the program’s bi-annual adoption event, where animals cared for by students are placed into loving homes. Each animal is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered before adoption.

“Our students dedicate so much time to these animals,” Starbuck said. “Seeing them find their forever homes is incredibly rewarding.”

The program also hosts a mobile veterinary clinic, providing services such as vaccinations, microchipping, and heartworm testing to the community. The initiative helps address gaps in access to veterinary care while giving students valuable real-world experience.

“We know there are barriers to care in our community,” she said. “This is one way we can help make those services more accessible.”

Starbuck is focused on continuing to grow and evolve the program. Plans are underway to introduce a hybrid option for working veterinary professionals seeking licensure, as well as to update the curriculum to better support student success and retention.

Her vision is clear: expand access, strengthen support, and continue producing highly skilled, compassionate veterinary professionals.