Sheila W. Allen, the interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will be the college’s permanent dean.
Arnett C. Mace Jr., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, announced last week that Allen has been chosen from among three finalists in a national search. The appointment was effective Nov. 1, subject to approval by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Allen has served as interim dean since March 1 following the retirement of former dean Keith W. Prasse. She was associate dean for academic affairs and acting head of the department of small animal medicine and surgery before becoming interim dean. She will be the second female dean of a veterinary college in the country.
“I’m always pleased when we find the best leadership here at home among our own faculty,” says UGA President Michael F. Adams. “With more than 20 years in the veterinary medicine college and an outstanding record in teaching, research and administration,
Dr. Allen is eminently qualified for this position, and I’m confident she has the experience, knowledge and skills to lead the college to newheights of performance and achievement.”
Allen came to the college in 1981 as an intern in small animal medicine and surgery. She completed her residency in 1985 and the following year received a master’s degree in veterinary clinical pathology and joined the faculty. She also holds bachelor’s and doctor of veterinary medicine degrees from Cornell University.
Mace says Allen has “provided outstanding service to the College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Georgia and the profession. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills as a faculty member and in administrative positions, particularly as interim dean.
“Dr. Allen’s vision for the college is exceptional, and her understanding of the college’s future needs in instruction, research and service is superb,” Mace also says. “These traits will significantly advance the college and university in the years ahead.”
As associate dean for academic affairs, Allen was extensively involved in developing and revising the college’s DVM curriculum to give students more flexibility in focusing on their areas of interest. She also guided the faculty in changing college admissions procedures so applicants can be assessed on criteria in addition to academic credentials.
She contributed to budget development and management in the college and was primarily responsible for overseeing the college’s instructional facilities.
“I am honored to be appointed dean of the college,” Allen says. “I am excited about our future, and look forward to working with all the wonderful faculty, staff and students in meeting our goals together.”
Allen’s area of expertise in teaching and research is oncologic and reconstructive surgery and perioperative pain management. Allen and colleagues in the college are authors of numerous articles, reports and other professional publications in these areas, and she has made presentations at regional, national and international meetings. She has developed several auto-tutorial programs using instructional technology to teach basic surgical skills and has received national awards for creativity in teaching.
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Allen has served as an elected member of the organization’s Board of Regents and was on the group’s examination committee. She was chair of the research committee, which awards Surgeon in Training grants and Diplomate Investigator awards, and she also chaired the publications committee, overseeing publication of the group’s journal, Veterinary Surgery. She is also active in the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, serving as executive committee chair of Associate Deans for Academic Affairs.
