Mark Stetter settles into role as dean at CSU's College of Veterinary Medicine

Faculty, staff and students at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences officially welcomed Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, to the role of dean this week.

Stetter was the director of animal programs for the Disney Co. before taking the position as dean at CSU. According to a CSU press release, Stetter says he’s had the unique opportunity to travel and observe the world through the eyes of not only a veterinarian but of someone who cares deeply about “what we leave for our children.”

“These are some of the larger issues that we as a college can address through the diversity of programs we have in place now, as well as innovative collaborations with peers who share our values and our passion to make a difference in the world,” Stetter says.

Stetter arrived on campus May 1.

“My first priority has been to really get to know the college and its people so that I have an in-depth understanding of what our strengths are, where challenges lie and how our resources are being allocated,” Stetter says. “I’ll continue to learn and discover more about Colorado State University and our college, but I’m also beginning to focus on bigger initiatives that will grow our programs and ensure we continue to be one of the finest colleges in the world.”

Stetter has met with department heads, research faculty and associate deans to better understand the college’s programs in teaching, research and outreach and to identify where some of the college’s greatest needs exists.

“Looking at Colorado State University--and the overall discussions around expanding the university’s undergraduate programs--as a college with a wide vsriety of science- and health-based programs, we want to ensure we can support these efforts through our own undergraduate programs,” Stetter says. “I also want to really elevate our efforts when we think about collaborations locally and internationally. We must build on existing relationships and develop new ones that will enhance and grow our efforts in teaching, research and service.”

Stetter graduated with his doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1988 and completed an internship in medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York. He served as associate veterinarian at the Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Stetter also completed a residency in zoological medicine at the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society. He joined Disney as a staff veterinarian in 1997. He is a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and served as president of that organization. He is a recent member of the Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board for the Morris Animal Foundation and is founder and president of the Elephant Population Management Program.

Stetter replaces Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD, who retired after serving the college for almost 11 years.