Arkansas State University announced Jan. 31 an agreement to collaborate with Adtalem Global Education to explore the feasibility of creating Arkansas's first in-state veterinary medical school, chancellor Kelly Damphousse said.

Damphousse spoke with the university's faculty senate prior to announcing that the university is exploring a public/private partnership with Adtalem, a global workforce solutions provider based in Chicago, Ill., with expertise educating veterinarians on American Veterinary Medical Assn. (AVMA) accreditation standards. Provost Alan Utter, who will be the lead contact for the 180-day exploration period, briefed the university deans.

“The demand for veterinarians is significant as more households enjoy pet ownership, and Arkansas livestock producers have acknowledged a shortage of veterinarians for large animals,” Damphousse said. “This is a concern that our College of Agriculture faculty and others across the region have expressed to us. I am excited to begin the discussion on our campus. We plan to work closely with veterinarians throughout Arkansas as we move forward in the development of this new college.”

Professor of animal science and interim dean of the College of Agriculture Dr. Donald “Bud” Kennedy added, “From practical experience, we know the need exists for more veterinarians, especially large-animal practitioners, across our region and state. With the current resources that Arkansas State can bring to this process, we believe we can have a tremendous positive impact for the veterinarian profession and our agricultural industry.”

Damphousse also announced to the university faculty the creation of a Veterinary College Task Force to work with him in the vetting process and named Kennedy as the task force chair.

“When Bud and our former dean, Tim Burcham, first approached me with the idea, I was very supportive, because it speaks to our core mission for Arkansas and the region,” Damphousse said. “I want to stress that we are at the beginning stages. Along with chairing our task force, I have asked Dr. Kennedy to assist with selection of participants and request that they return with a recommendation later this year.”

The proposed veterinary medicine program would enroll classes of approximately 120 students each year. The university would seek accreditation for any Arkansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, and graduates would have Arkansas State academic credentials. Adtalem, the parent company of AVMA-accredited Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, would provide expertise related to veterinary program management and accreditation as well as capital and operating expense funding.

“Adtalem Global Education has a demonstrated history of filling critical workforce needs, particularly as it relates to the veterinarian profession,” said Kathy Boden Holland, group president of Medical & Healthcare for Adtalem Global Education. “Partnering with Arkansas State University is an excellent opportunity to provide an exceptional veterinary education in Arkansas, giving students a pathway to become skilled veterinarians with the support of a well-respected institution of higher education. Adtalem is proud to support this initiative and looks forward to supporting [Arkansas State] with our academic excellence, operational expertise and employer partnerships and as we move forward in this endeavor.”

The Arkansas State University System is also supportive of the addition of the program at Arkansas State. System president Charles Welch said a veterinary school would positively influence the university and the state beyond addressing workforce shortages within the veterinary profession.

“We see opportunities to work with student programs such as 4-H and the National FFA Organization, as well as food safety initiatives,” Welch said. “It would also complement our agriculture- and biotechnology-related programs, the long-standing two-year veterinary technician program at ASU-Beebe and our red wolf conservation efforts.”

The memorandum of understanding signed on Jan. 31 between Arkansas State University and Adtalem Global Education is subject to approval by the Arkansas State System Board of Trustees and Adtelem board.

The nationwide critical shortage of veterinarians has significantly impacted the availability of animal care across the U.S. Furthermore, in a recent annual report, the Arkansas Farm Bureau emphasized a need specifically for large animal veterinarians and announced its support of a veterinary school in the state of Arkansas, the university said in its announcement.