By Fay Harvey听听
JONESBORO, Ark. 鈥� Arkansas State University recently broke ground on a $33.2 million College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the first of its kind in the state. First announced in 2023, the new college is notable for the state as well as the nation, as a new veterinary school has not been built in the United States since 2014.听
The institution will provide new opportunities for Arkansas residents to pursue in-state veterinary studies while also supporting the state’s billion-dollar agricultural sector. According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas is a major exporter of rice, soybeans and poultry and maintains more than 49,000 farms, 97% of which are family-owned.听
“Arkansas has a critical need for more veterinarians to support our pets, livestock and wildlife, and today, we take a giant step towards closing that gap,鈥� said Todd Shields, chancellor of Arkansas State University, in a statement.听听
Projected to welcome the first cohort of students in fall 2026, the 56,000-square-foot facility will provide space for hands-on learning while featuring flexible space for collaboration and study. A 24/7 clinical practice area will allow students to gain tangible experience while offering the opportunity to work alongside professionals from affiliated veterinary clinics, connecting students with in-state networks and knowledge as they progress through their studies.听听
鈥淲e are so grateful to practitioners in the state of Arkansas and surrounding area for their partnership in training our students,鈥� said Heidi Banse, dean of CVM, in a statement. 鈥淲e will also collaborate with a local shelter to provide hands-on experiences for our students in the first three years of the curriculum.鈥澨�听
The single-story building is set to feature two flexible classrooms, study areas and dedicated offices for staff and faculty members, as university leaders are still establishing the new college鈥檚 leadership team. Additionally, state-of-the-art anatomy labs, pathology labs, imaging areas and surgery spaces are featured in the plans. The building will be located on the southeast corner of campus near the university鈥檚 Biosciences Institute with a view of University Loop.听
Design for the project was managed by Jonesboro-based Cooper Mixon Architects, Chicago-headquartered Perkins&WIll and archimania of Memphis, Tenn. Construction management firm Nabholz is the project鈥檚 general contractor.听听
鈥淭he College of Veterinary Medicine groundbreaking is another pivotal step in addressing the needs of Arkansas鈥� agricultural and rural communities,鈥� said Shields in a statement. 鈥淏y training veterinarians right here in our state, we are providing new opportunities for our students and ensuring that Arkansas has the skilled professionals necessary to care for our livestock, pets and wildlife. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to serving the citizens of Arkansas and strengthening the future of veterinary medicine in our region.鈥�听