Working/Functional Title
Associate Dean for Professional Education
Position Summary
The Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean for Professional Education.
The successful candidate takes on this role at the College at an exciting time as we launch our Veterinary College of the Future Initiative - a bold effort to re-imagine veterinary education through educational innovation, inter-professional learning, emerging technologies, and evidence-based teaching practices. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished educational leader to shape the future of veterinary education while preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly complex and collaborative profession.
This is a 50% appointment for a faculty member with a demonstrated scholarly interest in curriculum development, educational innovation, outcomes assessment, and continuous quality improvement. The position reports directly to the Dean and works closely with department chairs, associate deans, executive directors and other college leadership, faculty, staff, and students. This is a five-year, renewable-term appointment, contingent upon performance. An annual administrative stipend will be provided.
The Associate Dean for Professional Education (ADPE) provides strategic and operational leadership for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum and serves as a key member of the College's academic leadership team.
Working in partnership with the Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success, the ADPE will monitor student success and use educational outcomes and learner feedback to continually refine the DVM curriculum, ensuring students are supported throughout their educational journey and prepared to enter the veterinary profession. The ADPE will also collaborate closely with the Office of Health and Well-being to foster an educational environment that promotes student well-being, resilience, inclusivity, and professional development.
Beyond the DVM curriculum, the Associate Dean will work collaboratively with the Associate Deans for Veterinary Nursing and Graduate Studies to advance innovative educational opportunities across the College. As one of only four colleges of veterinary medicine in North America with an embedded veterinary nursing program, and with continued strategic investment in our DVM/PhD program, Michigan State University offers exceptional opportunities to develop inter-professional, team-based educational models and innovative pathways for training future clinician-scientists.
The Associate Dean will oversee the Office of Professional Education, including DVM programmatic teams (pre-clinical education, clinical education, and outcomes assessment), while partnering with faculty and academic leaders to implement leading-edge educational approaches that advance the goals of the Veterinary College of the Future Initiative.
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Dean will:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the DVM curriculum.
- Partner with the Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Success to monitor student success and continually improve the DVM program through data-informed innovation and student support.
- Collaborate with the Office of Health and Well-being to promote student well-being, resilience, inclusivity, and professional identity formation.
- Work collaboratively with the Associate Deans for Veterinary Nursing and Graduate Studies to develop innovative educational opportunities that strengthen inter-professional education and clinician-scientist training.
- Advance the Veterinary College of the Future Initiative by fostering innovative educational approaches, emerging technologies, and evidence-based teaching practices.
- Lead curriculum development, outcomes assessment, continuous quality improvement, and educational data analytics for the DVM program.
- Foster faculty development and scholarship in teaching, assessment, and curriculum design.
- Provide leadership for the infrastructure supporting pre-clinical education, clinical education, clinical skills, and outcomes assessment.
- Represent the College on relevant University and external committees.
- Support AVMA Council on Education accreditation and institutional reporting.
Why Michigan State?
Michigan State University is committed to preparing the next generation of veterinary professionals through innovation, collaboration, and a One Health perspective. Few institutions offer the breadth of educational opportunities found at MSU, including:
- One of only four colleges of veterinary medicine in North America with an embedded veterinary nursing program, creating exceptional opportunities for inter-professional education and team-based healthcare.
- Continued strategic investment in DVM/PhD education, supporting the development of future clinician-scientists.
- A comprehensive Office of Health and Well-being that integrates embedded counselors, veterinary social work, well-being programming, and initiatives that foster an inclusive learning environment.
- A collaborative academic leadership model that brings together expertise from across the college to continuously strengthen our academic programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -A DVM, MD (or equivalent), and/or PhD
Desired Degree
Other -Training in professional education
Minimum Requirements
- A DVM, MD (or equivalent), and/or PhD
- Demonstrated commitment to professional education
- Exceptional leadership and management abilities.
- Commitment to excellence in teaching and educational leadership
- Experience in curriculum development, program evaluation, accreditation, and assessment
Desired Qualifications
- Experience leading curricular innovation across complex academic environments
- Training or qualifications in professional education
Required Application Materials
- A current curriculum vitae.
- A letter describing the applicant's interest in the position, relevant leadership experience, and vision for professional education.
- A statement describing the applicant's contributions to advancing the mission and values of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Special Instructions
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the search committee chair, James Wagner at wagnerja@msu.edu with any questions or
requests for additional information. Applications (curriculum vitae and a letter of interest) will be reviewed beginning September 15, 2026.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/15/2026
Website
cvm.msu.edu
Department Statement
The mission of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine is: Learn. Discover. Heal. Protect.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
