A-State College of Veterinary Medicine Comprehensive Site Visit Set for January
A bird's-eye view of the work being done at the construction site of the CVM at A-State.
JONESBORO – The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Arkansas State University is advancing in its plans to welcome its first cohort of students in the fall of 2026.
A comprehensive site visit by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Council on Education is scheduled to be conducted from Sunday through Thursday, Jan. 4-8.
The construction site of the future CVM is showing continual progress. Following the groundbreaking for the new college, which was held in March, the site of the future building has been very active. Within the last couple of weeks, concrete has been poured, including the slab.
The building is expected to be completed in the spring of next year.
In addition to advances being made to the building, the CVM is adding a new member to its team.
Dr. Claire Kelly joined the staff earlier this month as assistant professor of small animal practice.
“She will be teaching small animal clinical skills to students,” said Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of the CVM.
Kelly graduated from Mississippi State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She has worked at various veterinary clinics over the years, including owning her own practice.
“After being in private practice for 20 years, with 18 of those years as a practice owner, I plan to bring the real world to the educational experience for future veterinarians,” said Kelly. “I plan to bridge any disconnect between school and clinic and help students be able to walk into any clinic fully competent on their first day.”
Kelly said her goal is to begin educating students in clinical skills from their first class in the program.
“It is vital for students to learn from someone who has hands-on experience because that person has developed the real skills necessary to be clinically competent outside a classroom,” Kelly added.
Students will learn skills neededfor competency, learn why those skills are needed, and how to apply them in a clinical setting with confidence.
The CVM is slated to open with a cohort of 120 students for the inaugural class in fall of 2026. 
Construction continues for the future College of Veterinary Medicine building.
