Peggy Schmidt joins Kansas vet school as new associate dean

By Veterinary Practice News Editor

Peggy Schmidt is joining the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University as associate dean for academic programs and student affairs, effective September 6.

Schmidt has been a faculty member in veterinary education for 12 years, and served as an academic director for nine of those years. She currently serves Western University of Health Sciences as director of outcomes assessment. Before this role, Schmidt was the director of the fourth-year curriculum. She is also an associate professor of population health and epidemiology.

“Dr. Schmidt brings an outstanding skill set and a great deal of passion for promoting excellence in veterinary education,” said Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Through this position, the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State will have the opportunity to grow and enhance our nationally recognized professional program. Dr. Ronnie Elmore, associate dean for admissions and diversity programs, will continue to lead admissions and diversity for our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.”

“I have always taken great pride in being a teacher, administrator, mentor and motivator, and I look forward to helping the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University strive for academic excellence,” Schmidt said. “There are great challenges ahead in veterinary education, but the faculty, staff and students at K-State have the creative energy to overcome those challenges. I take great satisfaction in making contributions to the success of a veterinary program and am excited to become a part of the rich history and bright future of K-State.”

Schmidt earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with meat animal emphasis at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 1993. She then earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1997. After graduating, she practiced as an associate veterinarian at Tri-County Veterinary Clinics in Taunton and Dawson, Minnesota, until 2002. She then returned to college and earned a master’s degree in veterinary preventive medicine at the Iowa State University in 2004, also serving as an instructor for its College of Veterinary Medicine.

Schmidt became board certified as a diplomate of the American College of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She also earned multiple certifications for instruction in agroterrorism preparedness curriculum in 2005 and 2006 at the University of California, Davis. She won the Carl Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award at Western University of Health Sciences in 2008. She has been a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Food Hygiene Veterinarians, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Association of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, Evidence Based Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Education Collaborative and Teaching Academy of the Consortium of West Region Colleges of Veterinary Medicine.