Lyon College selects locations of Arkansas’ first dental, vet schools

Lyon College officials announced Tuesday that the state’s first dental and veterinary schools will be built in Little Rock and Cabot, respectively. 

Renovation and construction of the campuses is scheduled to begin this year with the inaugural classes expected to enroll in the dental and vet schools in the summer and fall of 2025, respectively, according to a press release. 

Melissa Taverner, president of the Batesville-based private liberal arts institution, said officials decided to split the two schools based on proximity to related entities. 

“The dental school in Little Rock will be located close to existing medical institutions; and the veterinary school in Cabot will be located adjacent to the planned Cabot Animal Services Center and will have space for future programmatic expansion,” Taverner said. “We are beyond thankful for the time and collaborative efforts of so many who worked in good faith to open these schools.”

Lyon College names dean of Arkansas’ first veterinary school

The Lyon College Faculty Assembly and Board of Trustees approved proposals to develop dental and veterinary schools in March 2022. The Higher Learning Commission Institutional Actions Council in November 2022 approved the college’s requests to offer the Doctor of Medical Dentistry and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional degrees. 

The college is pursuing accreditation with the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation and the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education.

Dr. Burke Soffee was named founding dean of the Lyon College School of Oral Health and Dental Medicine in January 2023. Officials appointed Eleanor Green as the founding dean of the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine last May. 

Arkansas State University is also pursuing the creation of its own vet school and last week named Dr. Heidi Cox Banse to the post of College of Veterinary Medicine dean. 

Founding Dean Dr. Glen Hoffsis will continue to support the development of the school alongside Banse, according to a press release. Officials expect to admit the first cohort of students in 2026.