A-State Begins Search for Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University has begun advertising for applicants and nominees for the next dean of its proposed College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).
The dean will be chief administrative officer for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), responsible for its missions in teaching, research and service. Primary duties will include oversight for all academic programs associated with the CVM, along with management of budget and other resources.
Applicants must possess an earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or the equivalent, a demonstrated and robust research agenda, and a distinguished record of visionary leadership and excellence in administration.
“We will be looking closely at those candidates who can demonstrate a record of commitment to fostering collaborative activities that lead to productive relationships with alumni, professional veterinary organizations, practicing veterinarians, and other public and private stakeholders,” stated Dr. Len Frey, co-chair of the dean search committee. Frey is executive vice chancellor for the Division of Finance and Administration and chief operating officer at A-State.
The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) approved the university’s plan for the veterinary school at its July 2023 meeting. Plans call for up to 40 new faculty and staff positions dedicated to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program.
The plan approved by the state board also includes the program requirements and planned courses. A-State’s next steps involve securing approval by the national accrediting agencies associated with veterinary colleges, including The Higher Learning Commission and the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, who will be making their initial consultative visit this July.
“The CVM appointee will be the 11th dean reporting to the Office of the Provost and is expected to be an active member of the Academic Deans Council,” said Dr. Calvin White Jr., executive vice chancellor and university provost. Adding, “the successful candidate will also work closely with community and government partners, faculty and staff to establish and implement the mission and strategic plan that will guide the teaching, research and service activities of the new College of Veterinary Medicine. I have charged the committee to find a visionary leader who understands the monumental undertaking of establishing the state’s first college of veterinary medicine, which is truly an inflection point in the history of our institution.”
As A-State has moved toward establishing the CVM, founding dean Dr. Glen Hoffsis has continued to guide the institution through the various stages, including planning for faculty, curriculum and facilities.
“Thus far, Arkansas State has progressed steadily toward meeting the accreditation and associated steps necessary before the veterinary school can open,” Hoffsis noted. “I have been very pleased with the level of commitment and support I’ve seen for A-State’s proposed plans.”
Both Dean Hoffsis and consultant Jim Lloyd will continue to support the new dean to assure a smooth and successful leadership transition.
The AHECB decision in July was praised by Chancellor Todd Shields as a key step toward the successful establishment of the veterinary school, which will make it possible for Arkansans to remain in state to earn their veterinary degree and establish a practice.
“Arkansas State is creating the CVM to serve the many needs for veterinary services in our state and the wider region,” Shields added. “A-State traces its origins to 1909 when it was established by the Arkansas General Assembly as the First District Agricultural School. Throughout our history, this institution has played a vital role in meeting society’s needs through the agricultural programs. The CVM will be the next major step in this mission for Arkansas State University.”
The search committee is co-chaired by Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery and executive director of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute.
In addition to Frey, Hoffsis and Marsico, other members of the search committee for the next dean are Dr. Jennifer Bouldin, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics; Dr. Mickey LaTour, dean of the College of Agriculture; Dr. Jim Lloyd, senior consultant for Animal Health Economics, LLC; Arianne Pait, assistant professor of communication disorders; Dr. Everett Rogers, president of Jonesboro Family Pet Hospital and president of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Edward Salo, associate professor of history and president of the A-State Faculty Senate; and Dr. Lonnie Williams, vice chancellor for the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.
A tentative opening date of fall 2026 is the institution’s goal, provided all preparations and regulatory steps can be completed before then.
Nationwide there is a growing shortage of DVMs to fill a growing demand for services. In the state of Arkansas alone, the number of households with pets has reached almost one million. Meanwhile, a generation of companion animal care veterinarians who have served those families are reaching, and many beyond, retirement age. The more than 12,500 farms across the state have growing need for vet services, as well as Arkansas’ expanding food production industry.
To learn more about the position, one can visit https://AState.edu/CVMDeanSearch.
Carl R. Reng Student Union at Arkansas State University
