Dean of Veterinary Medicine

Kansas State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a successful, driven, and nationally/internationally recognized leader to join a ...

  • 520733
  • Manhattan, Kansas
  • Vet Med Center Dean of
  • Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Regular)
  • On-site

About This Role

Kansas State University, the nation’s first land-grant university, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a successful, driven, and nationally/internationally recognized leader to join a highly successful College of Veterinary Medicine, fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a public R1, land-grant university.

The successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate the College’s faculty and staff in advancing high-quality teaching, research, service, and engagement while providing leadership that assures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the College's programs. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, Jesse Perez Mendez, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council and Deans Council.

This position is ideal for a cutting-edge, learner-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, strategic vision, and results-focused leadership. The Dean will continue to grow the College’s excellence in teaching, research, service, and engagement; promote a collaborative leadership approach; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to advance the University’s Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities and Core Duties:
The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, providing leadership, strategic vision and direction, and support. In addition, the Dean provides university leadership to support and promote the academic mission of the University. Specific responsibilities of the Dean will include:

  • Leading all academic programs and curricular efforts in the College in alignment with the AVMA Council on Education (COE) Standards of Accreditation
  • promoting high-quality student experiences;
  • supporting effective academic advising and mentoring;
  • building enduring excellence and growth in research and engagement programs serving the State, nation, and world;
  • being actively involved in the recruitment and retention of high caliber learners, faculty, and staff to the college, as well as promoting a welcoming environment;
  • working productively with learners, faculty, staff, department heads, deans, administrators, and the broader community on interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives;
  • providing strategic leadership for advancing the College’s strategic plan with the University’s vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University;
  • leading fundraising efforts on behalf of the College with a high degree of personal involvement, which includes traveling to see alumni and friends, pre-game tailgates, hosting a gameday stadium suite, and more;
  • strengthening strategic relationships and engagement with the community stakeholders, alumni, legislators, industry, and
  • benefactors across the state and beyond, working closely with constituents on issues related to the enhancement of the College and the University;
  • leadership and oversight for the services centers housed in the College – Veterinary Health Center and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting Kansas State University in this search. For more information about the role, please click here.

About Us

The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to scholarship through innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and service, promoting animal and human health for the public good. They are committed to creating an environment that is fulfilling and rewarding, being recognized for good communication, productive collaboration, mutual respect, integrity, and honesty.

To carry out this mission, the college's nationally recognized instructional and research programs provide the highest standards of professional education. A rich, varied, and extensive agricultural program in the area surrounding the college, a city with many pets and a zoo, and referrals from surrounding states provide a wealth of clinical material for professional education in veterinary medicine.

The College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on a rich history of tradition and innovation. Kansas State University is one of the oldest veterinary colleges in the United States to grant the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Established in 1905, the College of Veterinary Medicine has built on the university's reputation for excellence.

Today, more than 8,000 men and women have been granted the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The pass rate for K-State graduates on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination for the class of 2025 was 97 percent.

Alumni and friends give more than $19M on average to the College and the endowment is over $66 million.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree.
  • An advanced degree (MS, MPH or Ph.D.) and/or Specialty Board Certification recognized by the American Board of Veterinary
  • Specialties (ABVS) or equivalent National accrediting body in addition to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree.
  • A strong record of distinguished academic achievement in teaching, research, and service, which merits appointment as a tenured, full professor at Kansas State University.
  • Evidence of professional distinction and national or international recognition in their field.
  • A contemporary knowledge and demonstrated experience interpreting and implementing accreditation policies and procedures of the AVMA Council on Education (COE)
  • Demonstrated success as an innovative and strategic leader with the ability to plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision and initiatives while engaging with both internal and external constituencies.
  • Demonstrated success as a strategic/creative planner and relationship builder with exceptional collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
  • A proven record as a successful administrator in higher education, with responsibility for guiding strategy, managing finances, evaluating personnel, motivating faculty and staff, acquiring and allocating resources, engaging external constituencies, and fostering inclusive teamwork to create collaborative relationships across varying groups.
  • Demonstrated success in fund development and external fundraising.
  • A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to all aspects of the land-grant mission, including teaching, research, service, and engagement.
  • A recognition and appreciation for a collaborative and positive working environment.
  • An understanding of and commitment to shared governance to achieve college- and university-wide goals.
  • A firm grasp on the mission of a land-grant university with R1 status and its historic commitment to access.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary programs.
  • A proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions that accompanies a large public university.
  • A history of building, enhancing, and sustaining partnerships across a university, local communities, state, region, and nation.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting Kansas State University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. To submit a complete application package, please send a cover letter and CV to KSU CVM. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Inquiries and nominations should be directed towards:

Julie Holley, Associate Vice President of Executive Search
julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com
850-687-5104

Maggie Mayes, Senior Executive Search Consultant
maggiemayes@greenwoodsearch.com
850-869-9993

The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Application Window

For fullest consideration, apply by January 23, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with experience.

 

 

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization: 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.