A-State Names LSU Associate Dean to Lead New College of Veterinary Medicine
05/03/2024
JONESBORO, Ark. – Dr. Heidi E. Cox Banse, an associate dean at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as the new dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Arkansas State University.
As associate dean for education strategy at LSU, Banse led the implementation and redesign of a competency-based curriculum. She is a member of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Council on Outcomes-based Veterinary Education and Spectrum of Care Initiative.
Dr. Heidi E. Cox Banse
At A-State, Banse will be the chief administrative officer for the CVM – the state's first public veterinary school. She will oversee all academic programs associated with the CVM, veterinary residency rotation, budgets and other resources. Founding Dean Dr. Glen Hoffsis will continue to support the process in the development of the college alongside Banse, and the current goal is to admit the first cohort of students in 2026.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the establishment of A-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine," Banse said. "I am looking forward to continuing to develop this school with the amazing team at A-State. I am so grateful for the solid foundation that has been laid thus far. It is so exciting to think about the opportunities this will provide for aspiring Arkansas veterinary students."
Banse graduated with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine in 2004 and with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2007, both from Washington State University. She completed an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia. She then completed a dual residency and doctoral program at Oklahoma State University in equine internal medicine and veterinary biomedical sciences.
“The campus search committee charged with identifying exceptionally qualified candidates produced that and considerably more,” said Dr. Calvin White Jr., provost and executive vice chancellor. “Chancellor [Todd] Shields and I were extremely impressed by the caliber of applicants, which speaks to the committee’s diligence, the desirability to be a part of this transformational opportunity, and ultimately Dr. Banse’s expertise and administrative experience.”
Banse’s educational research has focused on clinical skills and curriculum development. Her clinical research focus has been mechanisms of equine glandular gastric disease and endocrine disorders in horses.
The Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission recently approved A-State’s request to offer a 152-credit-hour Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The last step will be a visit from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education, the world’s leading accrediting body for colleges and veterinary medicine, in July of this year.
A-State's plan to establish a College of Veterinary Medicine and its outline for the school, including the potential of 40 new faculty and staff positions for the program, was approved last year by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The program of study, in addition to individual program requirements and courses, has been approved by the state board.
“The enthusiasm of the A-State community for the CVM is phenomenal," Banse said. "I am excited to develop teaching and research collaborations across campus. I am looking forward to partnering with the Arkansas veterinary community to help ensure our students are prepared to enter into practice and serve the veterinary needs of the state of Arkansas."
Banse said she was grateful to the team involved in the vet school planning to date, including White; Hoffsis; Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance, Administration and COO Len Frey; Associate Dean John Weale; and consultant Jim Lloyd.
