Kansas State University

Veterinary college's Shane Lyon selected to serve as member of 'expert educator' cohort

Submitted by Joseph Montgomery

A Kansas State University faculty veterinarian and specialist clinician, Shane Lyon, is part of a group of educators and mentors who will help guide a new, national credentialing process in veterinary education.

On Oct. 18, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, or AAVMC, in partnership with the Academy of Veterinary Educators, or AVE, announced the founding members who were chosen to oversee the Academy Certified Expert Educator credential.

After completing a rigorous nomination and application process, a total of 32 veterinary educators were identified as founding members due to their distinguished expertise. View the complete list of educators. 

These founding experts in veterinary education are not simply academic veterinarians, but also include five credentialed veterinary technicians/nurses, five non-veterinarians involved in veterinary education and two individuals outside of academia.

"Being selected as a distinguished expert by the Academy of Veterinary Educators is both an honor and a delightful surprise," said Lyon, who is a clinical associate professor and clinical skills coordinator in the clinical sciences department. "This recognition deeply resonates with my passion for teaching and serves as a meaningful affirmation of my contributions by my peers."

Collectively, the founding members have a global reach with representation from five countries outside of the United States. All 32 members will be honored in a ceremony at the AAVMC Veterinary Educator Symposium hosted by the Texas Tech University College of Veterinary Medicine at the end of October.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment and valuable appointment," said Elizabeth Davis, associate dean of clinical programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dr. Lyon's work with AAVMC and service as an Academy of Veterinary Educators Certified Expert Educator is tremendous. This is a valuable professional opportunity for him and great representation for the College of Veterinary Medicine. We value all that he brings to the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine program and veterinary academia."

The credentialing process will involve submission of a portfolio as well as an examination. These distinguished experts will serve to finalize and promote this credentialing process, develop a rigorous examination and mentor future credentialed experts. Applications to become an Academy-Certified Educator are expected to open in 2024 with the first official class of credentialed experts being named in 2025.

"The AVE and AAVMC share an aligned mission to promote the advancement of academic veterinary medicine," said Andrew Maccabe, CEO of AAVMC. "We celebrate this group of founding members who will shape the process for esteemed educators to pursue this credential." 

The Academy of Veterinary Educators' mission is to promote, advance and recognize excellence in veterinary medical education. On track to increase membership globally, it comprises more than 500 enthusiastic members, including students, veterinary assistants, veterinary technicians and veterinarians. In addition to the credentialing process, the academy will offer research grants and a scholarship program, currently under development, for educators seeking additional training opportunities. Learn more about AVE.