A-State College of Veterinary Medicine

The Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine – the state’s first – is preparing to welcome its first class in Fall 2026 pending accreditation approval by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

A-State broke ground on the Jonesboro campus in March 2025 for a $33.2 million, 56,000-square-foot facility that will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, a surgical skills training area, flexible classrooms, study spaces and 24/7 clinical skills practice areas. A topping-out ceremony was held in October 2025, with construction expected to be completed in spring 2026.

“Higher education is supposed to make a positive impact on states and communities in people’s lives,” says Dr. Brendan Kelly, president of the ASU System. “That happened when we broke ground for the vet school at Arkansas State. That’s the type of problem solving the ASU System should bring to this state. There are only 35 vet schools in the country.”

A-State Chancellor Todd Shield says, “We imagined this college, funded it, and now we’re building it. Arkansas and this entire region need more animal health professionals. This college will train them, hands-on, from day one, solving problems for producers, clinics, agriculture and communities.”

Each year, students pursuing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees leave the state to attend a veterinary college. Upon the opening of the CVM, the first 120 students will be the first wave of new veterinary professionals in Arkansas.

Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of the CVM, says she and her team have been working diligently to build a faculty to instruct future students so they are best prepared to enter veterinary practice.

“One of the things we’re proudest of is our program and facilities that align to create a day-one-ready graduate,” Banse says.

For the state, many of the needs are from rural, mixed animal practices. The building will house administrative offices, classrooms, anatomy, and small animal clinical and surgical skills training spaces.

“We are building two barns at the animal science farm next door that will allow our students hands-on experience with cattle and horses to make sure they are day-one-ready,” Banse says.

Banse says many partners across the state are coming together to ensure the success of the program.

“We have many partners that contribute to our educational experiences, including the Department of Corrections, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, National Toxicology Research Center, and our over 400 general veterinary practices across Arkansas, Southern Missouri, and beyond that are training our students in their fourth year of their curriculum.”