CVM’s Associate Dean and Director of Academic Affairs Laura Nelson Named Associate Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Policy

Dr. Laura Nelson, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s associate dean and director of academic affairs, has been named the new associate vice provost for academic personnel and policy, effective July 1. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden made the announcement today.

“Dr. Nelson has been a strong leader in the College of Veterinary Medicine while actively engaging with the Office for Faculty Excellence, serving as a faculty fellow since 2023” said Arden. “We are excited to be able to use her service and expertise to strengthen the efforts of the Office for Faculty Excellence in serving NC State faculty across the university.”

In 2017, Nelson joined NC State as an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and associate dean and director of academic affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine. As associate dean and director of academic affairs, she has led a multi-year curriculum renewal process with updated veterinary medicine curriculum rolling out in fall 2024. Additionally, she has expanded faculty development and support for education through the establishment of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Academy of Educators, the expansion of postgraduate training in education, as well as support for education scholarship throughout the college.

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to work with Dr. Nelson for the past several years in her role as associate dean of academic affairs,” Dr. Kate Meurs, dean of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, wrote in a campus email. “During that time she was critical to the development of a new curriculum, the Academy of Educators and so many other impactful programs. She has also been a wonderful friend and colleague. We will miss her leadership in the Dean’s Office but we are so delighted for her that she has this wonderful new opportunity.”

Prior to joining NC State, Nelson was an associate professor of small animal surgery at Michigan State University from 2008-2017 and a clinical instructor in small animal surgery at The Ohio State University from 2007-2008. Nelson was the recipient of multiple teaching awards at Michigan State, including the SCAVMA Excellence in Teaching Awards in 2011, 2014, and 2016 and the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award in 2017.

“During my time at NC State, I’ve been fortunate to work with outstanding professionals in education and academic administration,” said Nelson. “To be able to continue working within the Provost’s Office and serving fellow faculty is something I’m very much looking forward to.”

Nelson is a founding member and former president of the Southeast Veterinary Education Consortium, which engages 10 veterinary colleges in the Southeast in support of education development, shared resources, and financial and mentorship support for education research. She was recognized as an Academy of Veterinary Educators Distinguished Veterinary Educator in 2023. 

Nelson received her Bachelor of Science in zoology and Doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ohio State. After completing a rotating internship at Michigan State, she returned to Ohio State to complete a surgical residency and her master’s degree. Nelson is a Small Animal Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. She completed the Lilly Teaching Fellowship at Michigan State in 2015 and a graduate certificate in Higher Adult and Lifelong Learning through the Michigan State College of Education in 2016.

Dr. Lysa Posner, assistant dean of student development at the CVM, will serve as interim associate dean of academic affairs as the college conducts a national/international search for a new associate dean.