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The provost’s office published the following announcement today (August 10th):
The University of California, Davis today (Aug. 10) appointed Mark Stetter, Dean and Professor of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, as the new Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). He will officially take up the position on October 18th.
Mark Stetter
“The School of Veterinary Medicine, a widely recognized world leader in its field, is a model of veterinary education, research and care – and UC Davis – at its best,” said Mary Croughan, Probst and Assistant Chancellor. “It was crucial for us to find a new dean who could carry on and promote the outstanding legacy of the school. We are very happy that Dr. Stetter has agreed to take on this critical leadership position. ”
Stetter replaces John Pascoe, who has served as interim dean since July 1, when Michael Lairmore resigned as dean after almost 10 years. Croughan expressed her deep gratitude for Pascoe’s skilled interim service and Lairmore’s decades of outstanding leadership at SVM.
A strong mix of academic and business experience
Stetter comes into his new position with extensive and varied experience and outstanding achievements in both veterinary medicine and management. His research and treatment expertise is diverse, with a focus on wild and zoo animals.
Stetter earned both his BS in biochemistry and his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He did an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and served as an assistant physician in zoological medicine with the Wildlife Conservation Society.
From 2012 until today, Stetter was Dean and Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. His significant contributions there were numerous and transformative. He helped create a new medical education program in partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine; worked with the provost to create a university-wide One Health Initiative; Established a new DVM training program with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks; and helped launch numerous Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He was also instrumental in helping the college raise over $ 370 million for new buildings, student scholarships, endowment positions, and research programs, among other things.
Immediately prior to arriving in Colorado, he served as director of animal operations, director of animal health and clinical veterinarian at Walt Disney World from 1997 to 2012. He oversaw and led the animal care and health teams at Walt Disney World and was responsible for more than 500 employees and multiple animal collections, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, The Living Seas at EPCOT, Tri-Circle D Ranch, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. During this time, Dr. Stetter Disney also in building and expanding international in-situ conservation efforts.
“My experiences in Colorado State and Disney World gave me an excellent foundation for the role of dean at UC Davis,” said Stetter. “But in a complementary way, each gave me uniquely valuable opportunities to care for animals, expand my veterinary expertise, and learn how to run large and complex organizations.”
Dr. Stetter’s research interests include advancing minimally invasive surgery in alien species and working on a wide variety of animals, including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
His work has resulted in over a hundred scientific publications and conference presentations. His writings have often focused on diseases and treatments of elephants, crocodiles, gorillas, frogs, monkeys, rhinos, and many other species.
His vision for the school
As Dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Stetter will be responsible not only for teaching and research at the faculty, but also for strategic planning, management and administration, external affairs, and public relations and development, among other things.
“I’m really looking forward to this next chapter in my professional career,” said Stetter. “UC Davis has exceptional programs and I look forward to working together in school, on campus, and in the wider community to enhance our mission and impact. The opportunity to work with so many dedicated and excellent colleagues and students makes this opportunity truly irresistible. ”
He plans to spend much of his time on campus during his first few months building relationships and expanding his knowledge of SVM and UC Davis. He will be planning “on a grand scale” visits to faculty and staff at the school, as well as senior executives across the university, to hear their priorities, insights, and ideas.
While the specific goals and objectives he sets for the school depend heavily on what he learns from these visits and ongoing collaboration, he has some ideas. “I have several overarching priorities,” he said. “They are: maintaining and developing the high level of excellence of SVM; Continue the school’s significant contributions to society and the planet; Promote an environment in which every member of our community feels included and respected; and promoting a working atmosphere and culture in which our faculty, staff and students can do their best while enjoying everything that a productive life has to offer. ”
“In addition to his exceptional scientific expertise and leadership skills,” said Coughan, “Dr. Stetter brings a unique perspective and a range of experience to his role as SVM dean. At the same time, he shares with our Aggie family a strong commitment to making the world a better place for animals and people. I look forward to seeing what he will achieve at UC Davis in the years to come. ”
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
The world-renowned UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine serves the California population by providing the highest quality education, research, clinical service, and public utilities to promote animal health and care, environmental health, and public health , and to contribute to the economy.
It deals with the health of all animals, including farm animals, poultry, domestic animals, captive and wild animals, exotic animals, birds, aquatic mammals and fish, and animals used in biological and medical research. His expertise also includes related human health issues.
The school’s mission includes 28 research and clinical programs, including clinical referral services; diagnostic testing services; Continuing education; Renewal; and community work.
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is number one national veterinary school in both the US News & World Report and the QS World University Ranking and number two worldwide by QS. It is currently in a campaign to raise $ 500 million for a new Veterinary Medical Center.
