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It is an exciting year for ACVS, and the College is eager to assemble a pool of candidates for this year’s president-elect and regents’ election that represents ACVS’s changing membership.
The responsibilities of the president-elect and regents elected this year will change as ACVS pursues a governance change, separating certification functions from membership activities. Beginning January 1, 2027, certification-related duties will transition from the board to a new Certification Council. At that time, the board’s primary focus will be providing strategic guidance and high-level oversight of membership services and activities and the operation of the College. The shift in the board’s responsibilities, pending a successful membership vote to update the ACVS bylaws in the spring of 2026, creates opportunities and the desire for Diplomates to bring a wider variety of experiences to the board.
The Nominating Committee, which reviews nominations and puts forward a slate of candidates to the board for approval, will identify Diplomates with varied experience and skills that can support the board’s changing responsibilities.
Last week, ACVS opened applications for potential Certification Council members. As ACVS opens nominations today for the Board of Regents, we ask that you choose to be considered for only one of these opportunities in 2026, the Board of Regents or the Certification Council.
Open positions (three)
The board consists of four officers (chair of the board, president, president-elect, and treasurer) and six regents with an equal distribution of large and small animal members. The Nominating Committee requests nominations and encourages self-nominations for positions beginning in October 2026:
President-elect (large animal this year)
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Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 13 years and a prior regent or treasurer.
- Will serve a three-year term: as president-elect (October 2026-27), as president (October 2027-28), and chair of the board (October 2028-29)
Large Animal Regent
- Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 10 years.
- Will serve a three-year term as regent.
Small Animal Regent
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Per ACVS bylaws, must have been an ACVS Diplomate for a minimum of 10 years.
- Will serve a three-year term as regent.
Board member commitment
The board meets for two days at three regularly scheduled board meetings each year: in February (virtual); in the summer, usually in June (in person); and in October in conjunction with the Surgery Summit. Additionally, the board holds periodic one- to two-hour virtual meetings. Attendance is expected to ensure a voting quorum. Nominees must understand that their enthusiastic participation, ability to devote sufficient time to prepare, and attendance are essential.
Nomination process
To nominate someone or to self-nominate, please submit the Election Nomination Form by 5 pm (ET), March 18. Each nominee will be required to complete a Nominee Application. Upon receipt of a nomination, the ACVS staff liaison to the Nominating Committee will forward the Nominee Application and instructions to the nominee.
Please contact me at jfhawkin@ncsu.edu with questions about the nomination process.
Thank you for your continued support of the College.
Jan F. Hawkins, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Chair, ACVS Nominating Committee
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