The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has announced the hiring of two associate deans. 

Dr. Sandra Godden is the associate dean for graduate programs, and Dr. Amy Snyder, ’94 DVM, will serve as the associate dean for clinical affairs. Godden began her new role on July 10. Snyder will officially start on Aug. 28.

Godden, a 24-year member of the CVM faculty, has served as the interim associate dean of graduate programs since 2021, when longtime associate dean Mark Rutherford stepped down from the position.  

In this role, Godden will support, advocate for, and advance strategies and initiatives for graduate student success in the College. She will work closely with graduate faculty and academic leaders—including the department chairs, associate deans, and the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—and will report directly to CVM Dean Dr. Laura Molgaard. 

“Dr. Godden brings a breadth of experience to this role and has collaborated extensively across the College and University to advocate for our graduate students,” Molgaard says. “She also brings a collaborative, values-based perspective and a service-oriented leadership philosophy to this work.”

Under her interim leadership, the graduate programs have seen increased financial support for graduate students, introduced new professional development opportunities and community-building events, and continued initiatives to increase DEI in the graduate student body.

Stepping into her new role will bring Snyder back to a familiar place. Snyder is a CVM alumna and completed her small animal surgery and medicine internship at the Lewis Small Animal Hospital. 

As associate dean, she will serve as hospital director for the Veterinary Medical Center and provide leadership, oversight, and guidance for the strategic and operational aspects of the College’s clinical programs. Working closely with the department chairs and other academic leaders, she will report directly to Molgaard.

“Dr. Snyder brings a wealth of accomplishments as a collaborative leader and catalyst for change,” Molgaard says. “Her clinical expertise in emergency and critical care, as well as medical and surgical care, equips her with a deep understanding of the current challenges and requirements of the profession.”

Prior to joining CVM, Snyder worked as senior vice president of marketing and medical director at Medvet Medical and Cancer Center for Pets in Worthington, Ohio; as director of agricultural education at Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio; and as a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital in West Chester, Ohio.

Drs. Mike Henson and Scott Madill have served as interim co-hospital directors for the VMC since 2020.