Description
Dean, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Tufts University
Tufts University invites applications and nominations for the next Dean of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Cummings School occupies a distinctive place in American veterinary education. Established in 1978, opened to students in 1979, and graduating its first class in 1983, the School was created in response to the need for a veterinary school serving New England. From its founding, it was conceived not simply as a traditional college of veterinary medicine associated with an agricultural institution, but as a vital part of a comprehensive health sciences university. That history has shaped a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary culture, one grounded in the understanding that the health of animals, people, and the environment is deeply interconnected. Today, Cummings School is the only school of veterinary medicine in New England and serves Massachusetts, New England, and communities well beyond it through education, clinical care, research, and public service.
Cummings School consists of an incredible community of over 120 faculty, 400 professional staff, and 500 students. The School’s impact is felt far and wide, with over 2,000 alumni and more than 100,000 patients cared for annually across six teaching clinics and hospitals and one diagnostic laboratory. The next Dean will join the School at an important moment in its history. The School is approaching its 50th anniversary with an enduring founding mission, a fully accredited professional program, an extensive clinical enterprise, a broad and interdisciplinary research portfolio, and a vital role within New England.
Tufts seeks an outstanding academic leader to serve as its next Dean of Cummings School. Reporting to the Provost and serving as the chief administrative and academic officer of the School, the Dean will build upon an established and very successful veterinary medicine teaching, research, and service enterprise, leading its next exciting phase of development and impact. Cummings School offers the opportunity to lead a community whose work has an immediate and tangible effect on animals, people, and society. Its combination of professional education, advanced clinical practice, comparative and translational science, public health, conservation, and community service makes it an uncommon academic enterprise. Guided by its commitment to healing animals, helping humans, and changing lives, the School is well positioned to deepen its impact across New England and to strengthen its national and international contributions to veterinary medicine and One Health.
The Dean must have a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Candidates must also have a distinguished track record of teaching, research, service, and/or community engagement that is commensurate with appointment to the rank of full professor and eligibility for tenure at Tufts University.
NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Tufts University has retained the services of Dr. Josh Ward at the executive search firm Korn Ferry. To apply for the position, candidates should submit an up-to-date and detailed curriculum vitae, as well as a brief letter of interest describing why you are interested in the role of the Dean of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, why you would be successful based on your professional experience, and why now is a good time for you to consider this opportunity. For priority consideration, please submit all application materials by December 1, 2026. For a copy of the full-length position description, or to submit your curriculum vitae and letter of interest (as separate PDFs), please contact:
Josh Ward, PhD
Senior Client Partner
Higher Education and Academic Medicine
Korn Ferry
(405) 640-3994
Josh.Ward@KornFerry.com
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination at Tufts University: Tufts is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our community. Tufts does not discriminate in admissions, employment, or in any of its educational programs or activities and prohibits discrimination and harassment against any student, employee, job applicants, applicants for admission, or third parties on the basis of protected categories. Those protected categories include race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles), color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, shared ancestry, age, religion, disability (including those with a record of a disability), sex and/or gender, gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity as defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, pregnancy, lactation, genetic information, the intersection of these identities or any other protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Retaliation is also strictly prohibited. Tufts is an equal opportunity employer. Compensation Notice: Tufts University offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. The estimated salary compensation range for the position is $380,000 – $400,000. Tufts University has provided this range which represents its good faith estimate of what the University reasonably expects to pay for the position. The final salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate – including equivalent years in rank, training, and field or discipline; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable positions.
