Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine

University of California, Davis

Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) seeks a dynamic, effective, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). The Dean will have the extraordinary opportunity to lead the School through a time of transition and continued growth. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and energetic leader who will build upon the SVM’s successes that have laid the foundation for leading the School on an exciting journey into the future. Furthermore, the next Dean will be a distinguished researcher and academic leader capable of inspiring and supporting the faculty toward increasing the SVM's research productivity while balancing its commitments to service and preparing veterinary professionals for successful careers in the field. This position presents a tremendous opportunity for the Dean to forge new pathways of excellence in clinical activity, research, and teaching, strengthen existing relationships throughout the region, and enhance the national and international reputation of the School.

University of California, Davis

Few institutions can match the comprehensive excellence of UC Davis and UC Davis Health; the campus is recognized for its superb accomplishments across its entire academic spectrum. The academic campus is located in Northern California in the city of Davis, while UC Davis Health, home to the School of Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, is headquartered about 30 minutes away in Sacramento. As part of a nationally renowned academic medical center, UC Davis’ School of Medicine has earned a national reputation for excellence and is ranked amongst the top 50 medical schools in National Institutes of Health funding and by U.S. News & World Report.

An ethos of partnership and service, in addition to its proximity to California’s state government, have made the University an invaluable resource for policy makers and state agencies and home to several state and federal research facilities, as well as a nationally-known performing arts center. Since its founding in 1905, UC Davis has grown from the University Farm of the University of California into the largest of the 10 University of California campuses and a powerful comprehensive research university with unparalleled disciplinary breadth over 10 schools and colleges. UC Davis Health is the region’s only academic health center, a nationally ranked leader in health care education, research, and patient care. Known for its commitment to sustainability, standout academics, and school spirit, and a part of the world’s pre-eminent public university system, UC Davis is proud of its nationally-ranked resources and research used to tackle the most pressing issues facing the world today. UC Davis’ educators, clinicians and researchers include partners working in the nation’s best School of Veterinary Medicine, the nation’s best College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, one of the nation’s best Colleges of Biological Sciences, and one of the nation’s best Colleges of Engineering – all from within one of the top five “Best Public Universities” in the entire United States. Combining its own advantages with the resources and prestige of the 10-campus UC system, UC Davis is a community that provides exceptional support for world-changing research and education.

School of Veterinary Medicine

With more than 2,000 faculty and staff and supported by a budget of $265 million, the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis has a rich history of educating veterinarians and veterinary scientists, discovering new knowledge through a robust and progressive research enterprise, and setting the standards in animal health care. The School’s mission is to advance the health of animals, people, and the environment, and in pursuit of this goal, its faculty have developed new disciplines, new clinical treatments, and advanced the One Health approach to address complex health issues that affect each of these areas. The SVM is fully accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (2018) with its next site visit to occur in 2025.

Innovation and collaboration are at the core of the SVM’s success and professional advancements and has led to its ranking as #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and #1 globally by QS World University. The SVM has shaped the field of veterinary medicine by developing dynamic veterinary treatments and providing educational, research, clinical service, and public service programs of the highest quality.

In support of the SVM’s mission, in October 2017, UC Davis Chancellor Gary May and Dean Michael Lairmore announced plans to enter a new era of veterinary medicine with a transformative UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center (VMC). In October 2020, UC Davis publicly launched a $2 billion fundraising campaign, “Expect Greater: From UC Davis, For the World” of which the SVM has committed to raise more than $500 million in philanthropic support—the largest campaign ever undertaken by a veterinary school. To date, total funds raised toward this goal are approximately $282 million. This bold goal will help create the future Veterinary Medical Center, where clinical innovation, transformational research, and compassionate healing come together. Each animal and client will receive attentive and personalized care in the center of a world-leading biomedical research hub that will be composed of five major areas: a Livestock and Field Service Center, an Equine Performance Center, an All-Species Imaging Center, an Equine Surgery and Critical Care Center, and a Small Animal Hospital.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Veterinary Medicine with responsibility for the academic, outreach, and mission-driven leadership of the School and the management of its resources, including faculty and staff, physical facilities, patient care, and budget. In their role, the Dean will lead and oversee the SVM’s six academic departments, centers, institutes, the Office of the Dean, the California Animal Health and Food Safety System, and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The Dean also participates in campus-wide policy development through membership on the Provost’s Leadership Council and the Council of Deans.

The Dean will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the SVM’s clinical, research, and teaching endeavors and must be a tireless leader for an organization deeply committed to serving the needs of students and stakeholders and inspire faculty and staff toward achieving continued heights of distinction. To that end, the new Dean will provide strategic direction in the development of a bold, new vision for the future, identifying areas for growth and resource generation, further enhancing the SVM’s academic and research portfolio, and supporting its focus on service to the regional and global community. As the School’s most passionate champion, the Dean will build strong relationships with, and generate support amongst, UC Davis’ senior administration, key stakeholders in the local region, the state of California, and globally.

Application / Nomination Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae, a letter of interest describing relevant experience, and a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Specifically, we invite candidates to discuss their past, present, and future contributions to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their professional careers. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Sal Venegas, Principal

Email: apsearch@spaexec.com

Refer to code “UCD-DeanSVM” in the subject line

SP&A Executive Search

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601 

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.