The University of Florida recently announced the launch of a search for the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The news came via an administrative memo issued Wednesday by Joe Glover, UF’s interim provost and executive vice president, who noted that a search committee had been formed to help in the national search for the College of Veterinary Medicine’s next dean.
In January, Dana Zimmel, the current dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, announced her decision to retire from the position at the end of the year, according to the college’s website.
Zimmel has been dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for a total of six years. She served on an interim basis from December 2019 to June 2021 when she was then appointed permanent dean – a role she has held since.
According to a June 2021 College of Veterinary Medicine release, Zimmel is the college’s seventh dean and first woman to hold the position.
Scott Angle, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at UF/IFAS, will chair the 15-member search committee that will be tasked with finding Zimmel’s replacement, according to the memo.
Other search committee members include:
- Ashley Allen-Durrance, assistant dean of admissions and student success, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Thomas George, interim director, UF Health Cancer Institute
- Jon Kim, assistant professor, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Marta Lista, owner and lead veterinarian, Trail Animal Hospital (West Miami)
- Chris Marytniuck, associate chair and professor, Department of Physiological Sciences, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Andrea Miller, associate director of operations, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Adesola Odunayo, clinical associate professor of emergency and critical care, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Janet Robishaw, associate dean for research and professor, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Marta Romano, clinical associate professor of anesthesiology, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Chris Sanchez, associate dean of clinical services for large animal operations and professor, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Alexandra Torregrosa, DVM candidate, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Charles Vite, chair of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UF College of Veterinary Medicine
- Carrisa Wickens, associate professor and extension specialist, UF Animal Sciences
- Liang Zhou, professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology (ID&I), UF College of Veterinary Medicine
Glover said the search committee plans to “identify and recommend finalists by May.”
Besides the College of Veterinary Medicine, UF is also searching for deans to lead the College of Arts, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and College of Medicine.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.