With gratitude, the University of Guelph recognizes that its campuses are located on the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and the traditional lands of the Hodinöhsö:ni’, Anishinaabeg and Huron Wendat, and offers respect to the Mississaugas of the Credit, Six Nations of the Grand River, the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and the diverse communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who reside on these lands. The University of Guelph also recognizes that its educational and research enterprises occur on Indigenous lands across Turtle Island and Mother Earth and endeavours to ensure that its activities honour and respect Indigenous peoples and their lands.
The University of Guelph invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College with the appointment to be effective summer 2026. This is an opportunity to build upon the University of Guelph’s history of excellence and innovation.
Research-intensive and learner-centred, the University of Guelph has achieved prominence in Canada and around the world for its commitment to developing exceptional thinkers and engaged citizens. As a leading comprehensive university, the University plays an integral role in the educational, business, and cultural life of the province of Ontario, through the impact of its teaching, research, and community service, and through its special mandate to serve the province in support of the agri-food sector and veterinary medicine. Guelph’s seven colleges, as well as the University of Guelph-Humber and Ridgetown campuses, pride themselves on innovative teaching, a commitment to experiential learning for students, and the advancement of cutting-edge research in the physical and life sciences, engineering, arts, business, social sciences, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. Dedicated to improving the life of individuals, families, and communities in the areas of food, water, environment, animal and human health, community, commerce, culture, and learning, the University of Guelph community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, an obligation to address local and global issues, and a concern for sustainable development. More than 31,000 students, including over 3,000 graduate students attend the University at its campuses located at Guelph Ridgetown and the University of Guelph-Humber. The University is a significant employer with over 4,000 full-time faculty and staff, and an annual operating budget exceeding $500 million.
Since 1862, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) has been dedicated to the advancement of veterinary and comparative medicine as a world leader in veterinary health care, learning, and research. OVC works at the intersection of animal, human, and ecosystem health: training future veterinarians and scientists; improving the health of our animal companions and athletes; ensuring the safety of the food we eat and the welfare of food-producing animals; and protecting the environment that we all share. Today, OVC employs approximately 140 Faculty and Veterinarians, and over 300 staff. Its innovative DVM program is growing to 560 students across the four professional years. Graduate student enrolment is 400, and OVC participates in the training of the B.Sc. Biomedical Major students. Its academic departments (Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Studies, Pathobiology, and Population Medicine), and the OVC Health Sciences Centre (comprising OVC’s Companion Animal Hospital, Large Animal Hospital, Animal Cancer Centre, Smith Lane Animal Hospital, Equine Sport Medicine and Reproduction Centre, and the Ruminant Field Services Clinic) maximize learning, advance veterinary health care and champion multi-disciplinary research. OVC has responsibilities for multiple research centres (Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, Equine Guelph, Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation, Poultry Health Research Network, One Health Institute, Centre for Cardiovascular Investigations, and Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation).
Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and a member of Guelph’s senior administration, the Dean of OVC will provide strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight to achieve the highest possible standards in teaching, research, and service. Working collaboratively with a variety of internal and external partners to further enhance OVC’s national and international stature, the Dean will lead in promoting innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches to teaching and research, and in increasing funding support.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished veterinarian, academic and visionary leader with a record of building strong teams, fostering academic innovation, managing resources, and promoting multi-disciplinary initiatives. Extensive academic leadership experience will enable the new Dean to relate to a range of internal and external partners and promote excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students. The Dean of OVC will possess an open and collegial style, outstanding management, communication and interpersonal skills, a creative approach to problem solving, and a strong commitment to academic excellence in research and teaching.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Guelph and Laverne Smith & Associates will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. Acknowledging the University’s diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of success. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
The consultants will begin review of candidates immediately, with committee consultation later in the summer. The search will continue until the position is successfully filled. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names (not letters) of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and should be submitted in confidence to the University’s executive search consultants:
Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
GuelphOVC@lavernesmith.com
