DEAN, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, Oklahoma

President Jim Hess and Provost Jeanette Mendez of Oklahoma State University (OSU) are seeking an exceptional leader for the position of Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The Dean will report to the Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, and will play a crucial role in overseeing the construction of a nation-leading animal teaching hospital while positioning OSU among the top veterinary programs in the country. Additionally, OSU will seek out candidates with veterinary credentials and leadership experience that extend beyond traditional academic settings. The university is particularly interested in candidates with experience in industry partnerships, government relations, and strategic communications.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is a dynamic organization with four main focus areas providing 1) quality educational opportunities to prepare graduates for varied careers within the veterinary profession; 2) improved animal health and welfare incorporating cutting edge medical, surgical, and diagnostic laboratory services; 3) excellent laboratories for investigation of diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, diagnostics and therapeutics in both animal and human health; and 4) continuing education programs that provide practicing veterinarians and scientific workers with the newest information for preventing and controlling animal diseases. The College and its leadership monitor the workforce needs of Oklahoma and the region, including rural areas, and work with the agricultural and veterinary communities to address those needs. The College is composed of three academic units: the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Through these units, a four-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is offered, as well as a college-based Comparative Biomedical Sciences graduate program leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Program offerings also include joint degree options leading to the Master in Public Health or Master in Business Administration. Current enrollment includes 425 veterinary students, of which 246 are Oklahoma residents and 179 are non-residents. Approximately 58 graduate students are enrolled in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences graduate program. The College has 46 tenure-track and 45 career-track faculty positions, 12 fellows and/or temporary faculty, 19 residents and interns, 202 staff, and a FY2026 E&G operating budget of approximately $57.6M. The College has full accreditation from the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Find more information about the programs, structure, and unique qualities at College of Veterinary Medicine | Oklahoma State University.

The search for Dean is being launched at a pivotal time for OSU’s veterinary medicine program, as preparations begin for the construction of a $330 million state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital scheduled for completion in late 2027. This new facility represents the largest academic infrastructure investment in the college’s history.

Oklahoma State University has a rich history of institutional success and growth. A land-grant institution with more than 36,000 students across a five-campus system, OSU has graduated more than 300,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. President Hess and Provost and Senior Vice President Mendez are advancing the institution further with the launch of a comprehensive and modern strategy for the next era of OSU.

The OSU campus and the City of Stillwater are known for being welcoming, respectful, and genuine. A mid-sized city, Stillwater is a one-hour drive to the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, both of which are home to international airports, vibrant art and performance venues, and professional sports teams. The City of Stillwater is also home to Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), a key regional gateway that facilitates nearly 80,000 annual operations, including daily American Airlines commercial flights, Oklahoma State University aviation program flights, and athletic charter flights. Stillwater is education-focused and boasts one of the top public-school districts in the state. Additionally, the dependents of OSU employees receive four years of free tuition. The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts is on the perimeter of campus and frequently features the best musical, theatrical, and artistic acts in the country.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is required with a demonstrated record of clinical practice in both large and small animal settings and several years of administrative experience either as an administrator with major responsibilities for a program in veterinary medical education or in the management of a medium-to-large clinical practice. Candidates should also possess proven administrative and leadership skills; a demonstrated ability to inspire others to more effective and creative performance, to relate to people, to manage funds, to generate resources for use by the College, and to delegate responsibilities and authority generously and wisely; a demonstrated history of promoting ethical behavior and social responsibility, and the capacity to lead, work, and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and leaders in government, business, industry, and other educational agencies and institutions; a willingness and ability to interact with rural constituency groups, including but not limited to, rural legislators, rural veterinarians, agricultural advocacy groups, alumni and industry representatives; a willingness and an ability to take responsible risks and to make decisions, sometimes prior to the acquisition of complete information; and a demonstrated ability to lead a fundraising campaign and attract and manage external funds in cooperation with the OSU Foundation.

BEGINNING DATE: As soon as possible following acceptance of position.

APPLICATION: While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by Monday, December 8, 2025, to receive optimal consideration. Applications (letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names, email addresses and telephone numbers of five references) must be submitted online at OSU Jobs, Job ID 493429.

LEARN MORE: Visit these websites to learn more about OSU and the Stillwater community: Visit Stillwater, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Stillwater Public Schools and Stillwater Medical Center.

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