'Big shoes to fill'

After 17 years and countless accomplishments, Willie M. Reed, Purdue’s dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will be stepping down.

Beginning July 1, Kathleen Salisbury, associate dean, will take the role of interim dean.

Sitting in his office, Reed remarked that it felt empty, despite many books on the shelves.

“Well, if you could see the office before,” he said laughing.

The last 17 years were spent in this room, he said. Even during the pandemic, Reed was in the office working with the diagnostic lab director to certify COVID testing locations.

“Lots and lots of Zoom meetings,” he joked, referencing the ring light still on his computer. “The years have gone by much too fast.”

During his time at Purdue, Reed developed a master plan for the college, including building a new hospital, expanding teaching facilities and increasing enrollment, he said. The biggest indicator of his success is the new hospital, that opened in 2022.

“The most visible accomplishment would be the new veterinary hospital that we have here in West Lafayette,” Reed said. He described the hospital as ‘phase I’ in the master plan.

It’s a project he’d worked on since he began his role of dean, he said.

Typically, deans step down at the end of the year they turn 65, but Reed has stayed four extra years to see this hospital through, Salisbury said.

Purdue also built an equine hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana.

“That was a major accomplishment because few veterinary schools would have such a facility and an offsite facility to address the needs of the equine industry,” Reed said.

Reed’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion won him an inaugural award from the American Veterinary Medical Association last year.

“When I arrived in 2007, only about 6% of veterinary students in the college of veterinary medicine were from underrepresented populations,” Reed said. “Now that approach is 30%. So, I’m very proud of what has transpired, the team effort to make that happen.”

Reed established both the office of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the office of engagement, Salisbury said. Along with a certification for faculty and staff to learn more about DEI.

One focus of these offices is setting up camps and programs aimed at kids, then making these resources accessible to all communities.

“Another thing that was established is we have several camps that are going on this week. We have one is called boiler vet camp,” Salisbury said. “They get exposed to all different species and then I do a problem based learning type experience with them like we do with our vet students.”

In one of their boiler vet camps, participants get to work with a shelter dog all day, learn how to care for them and then have the option of adopting the dog.

“That’s been a big push that the Dean did–developing the office of engagement in the office of diversity, equity and inclusion, to improve the diversity of students getting interested in veterinary medicine,” Salisbury said.

Reed also takes pride in the rate of veterinary medicine students that study abroad before they graduate.

The percent has raised to 70% after Reed grew the international programs office and established a director of global engagement, Salisbury said.

“We give our students these international experiences that allow them to develop intercultural competencies,” Reed said.

Look ahead

When Reed took the role of dean in 2007, Salisbury was an assistant dean, later to be promoted to associate dean in 2010, he said.

But they originally met at Purdue in the 80s.

“I have known her for many, many years, back when I was in my training program here at Purdue in the early 80s. She was (also) in her training program,” he said. “That’s how we first met each other.”

Later, Reed would pursue his PhD in pathology at Michigan State University, the same school Salisbury graduated from.

“So crazy, such a small world,” Salisbury said laughing.

Like Reed, Salisbury’s passion extends beyond her role as associate dean. During her residency at Purdue, she discovered her love for teaching.

“I said I would only take it (the role of assistant dean) if I could still do teaching,” she said. “I really liked getting to know the students and seeing them develop. Being able to work with them in the hospital is really fun. I do miss that, but I’m so busy.”

Salisbury is also an active member of international group, the council on outcomes-based education, through the American Association of Veterinary Medicine colleges. The council has published models on competency-based education approaches for veterinary colleges.

Their model implements other skills into veterinary students’ courses, such as communication, professionalism and collaboration.

“I love teaching the students and helping them to think through things and put things together and so I still teach that course,” Salisbury said, her eyes lighting up as she spoke.

Salisbury voiced her admiration for Reed and remarked the position was “big shoes to fill.”

“He’s been a really good mentor for me,” she said. “He’s been a mentor for other people (too). He really does lead by example.”

Beyond leadership, Salisbury said she admires Reed’s kindness.

“I think one of the impacts he’s had on the college is that he really cares about everybody, all the students, the faculty, the staff the building services… he would have dinners for the people that clean our building,” she said.

For her time as interim dean, Salisbury said she hopes to create stability for staff and students while continuing to lead Reed’s master plan until new leadership is found.

“I don’t know when a person (dean) will be selected, but I really care about the college,” she said. “We have wonderful students, faculty and staff.”

As for Reed, he plans on taking a sabbatical and then remaining a support system for the veterinary school.

“My personal plan would be to continue to be engaged in the veterinary profession,” he said. “Also to assist the college in any way that I’m called on to help.”