UF launches search for next veterinary college dean

The University of Florida has launched a national search for the next dean of its College of Veterinary Medicine, with Dr. J. Scott Angle, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at UF/IFAS, chairing the search committee. The move follows Dean Dana Zimmel’s January 2026 announcement that she plans to retire at the end of 2026, after 24 years in leadership roles at UF, UF Health, and UF/IFAS, including the past six years as dean. UF says the committee is being supported by Human Resources’ Strategic Talent Group, and public search committee meetings have already been scheduled as the process moves forward. (vetmed.ufl.edu)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is a leadership transition at one of the country’s highest-profile veterinary colleges and Florida’s only veterinary school. UF describes the college as the state’s only teaching hospital-based veterinary program and says it is ranked No. 6 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, so the next dean will have influence over DVM education, specialty training, research priorities, referral medicine, and workforce development in a large regional market. (vetmed.ufl.edu)

What to watch: Watch for candidate interviews, additional public committee meetings, and a formal appointment timeline as UF works toward replacing Zimmel before her planned retirement at the end of 2026. (vetmed.ufl.edu)