Overview Michigan State University (MSU), the nation’s pioneer land-grant institution, is one of the world’sleadingpublicresearchuniversitiesandamodelforintegratingteaching,research,and service in ways that directly benefit society. Foundedin 1855, MSU has long advanced a missiongroundedinaccess,discovery, andengagement,andcontinuesto leadnationallyand globally in translating knowledge into impact.Amember of theAssociation ofAmerican Universities and the Big Ten Conference, MSU offers a rich environment for academic leadership at scale.
With approximately 40,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate and professional students, MSUdeliversacomprehensiveacademicexperienceacross17degree-grantingcollegesand more than 200 programs of study. The university’s land-grant mission is reflectedin its emphasis on experiential learning, public engagement, and global scholarship, requiring coordination across academic programs, research enterprises, and service initiatives.
MSU’s more than 12,000 faculty and staff are central to this mission, advancing nearly $1 billion in annual sponsored research while delivering high-quality education and service to communities in Michigan and around the world. Faculty operate within a collaborative, interdisciplinaryenvironment,wheresuccessdependsonintegratingscholarship,clinicalor applied practice, and outreach in response to evolving societal needs.
The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), established in 1910, exemplifies this integration. Buildingonalegacyofveterinaryeducationdatingtotheuniversity’sfounding,theCollegehas evolvedintoacomplexenterprisespanningbiomedicalsciences,clinicalcare,diagnostics,and publicengagement. Its structure—includingthree biomedicalscience departments,two clinical departments,theVeterinaryMedicalCenter,theVeterinaryDiagnosticLaboratory,andmultiple research centers—requires coordinated leadership across diverse missions and stakeholders.
CVM faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions across teaching, research, clinical service, and outreach, with representation across nearly all specialty boards recognized by theAmerican Veterinary MedicalAssociation. Beyond disciplinaryexcellence,facultytrainveterinarians,veterinarynurses,scientists,andfoodsafety experts, while advancing translational and applied research and delivering services that support animal health, public health, one health, and the agricultural economy.
TheCollege’sscalecreatesbothopportunityandcomplexity.Oneofthelargestclinicaland diagnostic caseloads in the country supports hands-on education and clinically relevant research, while strong partnerships with the State of Michigan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and industry stakeholders positionthe College to address critical challengesin animal health, food systems, and workforce development.
The College is navigating a period of growth and transformation, including expanding clinical capacity,advancinginterdisciplinaryresearchwithin a OneHealthframework,andresponding to emerging challenges such as veterinary workforce shortages and new technologies in educationandpractice.Thesedynamicscallforleaderswhocanalignteaching,research,and service while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Withinthiscontext,theDepartmentofLargeAnimalClinicalSciencesplaysacentralrolein advancing the College’s mission and impact.
The Opportunity Position:Chairperson, Large Animal Clinical Sciences Location:East Lansing, MI Reporting Relationship: Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine Website:https://cvm.msu.edu/
Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine seeks a collaborative, strategic, and forward- looking leader to serve as Chairperson of the Departmentof Large Animal Clinical Sciences. This is a compelling andenergizingopportunitytojoinanationallyrecognizeddepartmentatapivotalmomentdefined bystrongmomentum,meaningfulinvestment,andasharedcommitmenttoadvancing thefutureofveterinary medicine.
TheDepartmentis distinguishedbyitsbreadthacrossspecies,disciplines, andmissionareas,aswell asthe strengthof its community. The departmentis supported by an accomplished, collaborative faculty who are committedto their students,their work, and the College’s mission. Their effortsare enabled by exceptional facilities, including theVeterinaryMedical Center,thePegasus Critical Care Center,theMary Anne McPhail Equine PerformanceCenter, the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, andother Teaching and Research Centers.
The department operates within a dynamic ecosystem spanning the university, state government,and industry. MSU’s partnerships with state agencies, agricultural leaders, and allied industries create opportunities for applied research, policy engagement,and real-world impact, reinforcing the university’s land-grantmission.MSU andthestateofMichigan havebeenrecognizednationally fortheircollaborative approach to handling emerging animal health issues, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The timing of this role is especially exciting. The College is advancing a significant capital campaign, including plansforanewveterinarycollegeandhospital,offeringthenextChair theopportunitytohelpshape thefutureofveterinarymedicine.Atthesametime,thedepartmentis navigatingimportantpriorities,including strengthening clinical capacity, addressing workforce needs in rural and underserved areas, enhancing integration across mission areas, and responding to emerging trends such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Withinthiscontext,theChair will playacentralroleinbringingpeopletogetheraroundasharedvision forthe future.This role is well suited for a leader who values listening, partnership,and community; someone who can engage faculty across diverse roles, build alignment, and help the departmentfully realize its collective strengths.
Purpose of the Position The Chairperson of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences serves as the academic, administrative,andstrategicleaderofadynamicdepartmentspanningclinical service,research,teaching, and outreach.Reporting to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Chair will advance the department’s mission while fostering a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and professional citizenship. This is an exciting opportunity to join a talented community and help shape the futureof a department with broad impact.
The role calls fora visible, approachable, and unifying leader who can bring togethera diverse faculty across disciplines, species focus areas, and responsibilities. A central opportunity forthe next Chair will be todevelop asharedvision thatreflectsthedepartment’sfullbreadth,while building alignment,strengthening trust,and fosteringa cohesive culture.Success will come fromlistening thoughtfully,engaging broadly, and bringing people together around a clear path forward.
The Chair is responsible for supporting and developing facultyacross all mission areas, including recruitment, mentoring, retention, and promotion and tenure processes. The Chair will fosteran environmentinwhich facultycansucceedaseducators,researchers,clinicians, andcontributorsto outreach.
The Chair will articulate and implement a clear strategic vision for the futureof large animal veterinary medicineatMSU. Prioritiesinclude strengtheningtheintegrationofclinical care,research,andeducation; expanding clinical capacity and outreach; and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly within MSU’s One Health framework.The Chair will also guide the department’s approach to emerging issues, including generative AI, workforce needs, and innovation in veterinary education and practice.
Withaminimum50%administrativeappointment,theChair will remainengagedinteaching,research, clinical service, and/or outreach.As such, credibility as a clinician and/or scholar, and the ability to engage meaningfully with students, trainees, faculty, and external stakeholders, is essential.
TheChairwill ensureoperationaleffectivenessandacademicexcellence bysettingclearexpectations, fostering strong communication, and supporting shared governance. The role also requires a strong commitment to teaching and student outcomes, including strengthening engagement and expanding pathways into large animal and rural veterinary practice.
Externally, the Chair will serve as a key ambassador for the department and College, engaging stakeholders across veterinary, agricultural, and policy communities. In partnership with College leadership,theChairwill supportadvancementefforts,contributetothegrowthoftheclinical enterprise, and build strategic collaborations across disciplines.
Ultimately, this role offerstheopportunitytostabilize, strengthen,and elevate a complex academicand clinical enterprise,aligning people,programs,andresourcestoadvanceamissionattheintersectionof animal and public health.
The Candidate The Chair will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the department, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture where faculty and staff can thrive and succeed. This includes promoting strong communication across written, verbal, and interpersonal channels, and cultivating an environment grounded in kindness, collegiality, accountability, and professionalism. Faculty and staff take pride in being part of a supportive and engaged community; one where people show up for one another, value diverse perspectives, and are united by a shared sense of purpose.
The Chair is responsible for supporting and developing faculty across all mission areas, while fostering collaboration, shared governance, and a cohesive, team-oriented culture. A commitment to excellence in teaching and student outcomes is essential, including addressing declining interest in large animalpractice by recruiting more graduates into this career field through innovative programming and sustained outreach.
The Chair will actively engage internal and external stakeholders, representing the department across veterinary and agricultural communities at the state, national, and international levels. In alignment with College and University priorities, the Chair will advance educational, research, and clinical initiatives, partner with development and clinical leadership to enhance departmental growth and visibility, and build strategic collaborations across medical, biomedical, and animal science disciplines to strengthen MSU’s One Health impact.
Importantly, while the department spans clinical services, research, teaching, and outreach, the CollegedoesnotexpecttheChair tobeanexpertinall areas.Rather,therolecalls foraleaderwho brings strengthin one or more mission areas and demonstratesthe ability to support, elevate, and integratethefullbreadthof facultycontributionsacrossthedepartment.The College is committedto supporting development of multiple associate chairs within the departmentto ensure all mission areas have representation and voice.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must possess the experience to merit tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
Knowledge of the animal agriculture landscape
Ability to articulate a vision for the future of large animal veterinary medicine
Strong record of accomplishment and advancing knowledge in at least two of the academic missions of service, research, teaching, and/or outreach
Excellent and timely written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to effectively engage with others and collaborate within team settings
Experience successfully leading groups or programs, managing budgets, and managing personnel
Experience mentoring colleagues and trainees, fostering their professional growth and career advancement
Ability to model and foster an environment of kindness, collegiality, professional citizenship, and collaboration
Desired Qualifications
Experience in large animal clinical medicine
Board certification in an AVMA-recognized specialization relevant to large animals
Earned advanced graduate degree (PhD, MS, MPH, or equivalents) or professional certification
Experience in formal leadership positions
Record of successfully leading, representing, and advocating for teams or groups
Familiarity with the various types of external stakeholders, including commodity groups, producers, and government and regulatory agencies
Media relations and communications trainingandexperience
Education
Required Degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree.
Application Process Interestedandqualifiedcandidatesarewelcome tosubmitaresumeandcoverletterto: MSUDepartmentLCS@KornFerry.com
Additional Information Department Statement The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (LCS) is in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Our faculty provide patient care, conduct research, and train students on agricultural and other large animals. This work includes animal models of human diseases and the interactions between the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Faculty work closely with students pursuing DVM degrees, veterinarians in internship and residency programs, and MS and PhD students. Learning to better understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat disease takes place in some of the most advanced facilities and laboratories. Faculty and students work together to find new solutions and put them into practice for a better world.
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 opportunitiestoa diverse andinclusive academic communitythroughmorethan 200programs ofstudyin 17 degree-granting colleges.
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.
This position is a full-time, annual appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor and must be in the Tenure System.
Job ID: 84363459
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