Lyon College of Batesville announced it has hired Dr. Ashley Mounts of Sherwood as associate dean for clinical programs and outreach in its upcoming School of Veterinary Medicine.
Mounts is a small animal clinical veterinarian who has practiced for more than 15 years in central Arkansas. In her new role with Lyon College, she’ll work with local veterinarians to identify opportunities for clinical education, ensuring that students gain experiences that will make them practice-ready upon graduation.
The veterinary school, which was announced in 2022, plans to use a learning model that utilizes off-campus clinical sites rather than the traditional on-campus veterinary teaching hospital for all or a substantial part of the student’s clinical learning.
In a statement, founding dean Dr. Eleanor Green said Mounts brings “an exciting combination of energy and leadership skills” to the position. “Her dedication to student success and to the Arkansas veterinary community combined with her focus on furthering the field of veterinary education will be a valuable asset to our development of the state’s first veterinary school.”
The veterinary school is one of two in development in Arkansas. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro received state approval last summer for its own veterinary school. Both are projected to open in 2025.
Mounts holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Zoology from The University of Florida. She is pursuing a Master of Veterinary Education from Lincoln Memorial University.
“I am thrilled to join Lyon College in building an innovative veterinary program that will provide excellent opportunities for young people and the state I love,” Mounts said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Green to provide direction for the clinical curriculum and outreach to our Arkansas veterinarians and animal-owning communities.”
OneHealth Education Group of Little Rock had planned to buy Heifer International’s campus in downtown Little Rock for Lyon College to launch veterinary and dental schools, but the deal fell through in November. Lyon College is looking at other sites in the Little Rock area, but the Heifer site remains the preferred location for its Institute for Health Sciences.
OneHealth CEO Merritt Dake said in a statement in November that “we remain committed to helping Lyon College build these two schools in Little Rock.”
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