Leadership

Dean Bret Marsh serves as the Dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and Chief Executive Officer of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. A proud Purdue alumnus, Dr. Marsh earned his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue. His career has been defined by a commitment to public service and One Health principles, connecting animal, human, and environmental health. Prior to returning to Purdue, Dr. Marsh served as Indiana’s State Veterinarian, where he led initiatives in biosecurity, animal disease traceability, and disaster preparedness, gaining national recognition for his expertise. His leadership roles include serving on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s homeland security staff after 9/11, as well as on the board of the United States Animal Health Association and as treasurer for the American Veterinary Medical Association. With a vision to elevate Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine as a top-tier institution, Dr. Marsh is focused on expanding the college’s research profile and advancing Purdue’s One Health initiative. Under his leadership, the college aims to provide practice-ready veterinarians who are well-prepared to address modern health challenges. Dr. Marsh is particularly enthusiastic about developing interdisciplinary collaborations that promote health solutions across species and ecosystems, and he is excited to foster an educational environment where students gain hands-on experience in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Susan Mendrysa is a Professor of Basic Medical Sciences at Purdue University, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and Interim Head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and completed postdoctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Mendrysa’s expertise spans cancer biology, graduate and veterinary medical education, and academic leadership. In her role as Associate Dean, she leads strategic initiatives to enhance research and graduate education, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation across the college. A former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Dr. Mendrysa brings a global perspective to research and education. Her commitment to inclusive excellence has been recognized through multiple awards. She continues to advance translational research and workforce development through visionary leadership, mentorship, and dedication to academic equity.

Dr. Wendy Townsend is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Purdue University. She provides ocular examinations and surgeries on all species of animals in the Purdue Veterinary Hospital where she works with DVM and Veterinary Technology students. Outside of work, Dr. Townsend enjoys living on her farm with her husband, two daughters, horses, Jersey cows, goats, cats, and a dog.

Dr. Mindy Anderson is the Assistant Dean for Veterinary Technology and a Veterinary Clinical Pharmacist that teaches pharmacology for our veterinary students and on campus veterinary technology students. Dr. Anderson is also a registered veterinary technician that graduated from the Purdue University Veterinary Technology program in 2003. She worked in private practice as well as taught in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital for 11 years before going back to school to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2018, followed by a one-year residency to specialize in Veterinary Pharmacy. Dr. Anderson also works in the Veterinary Hospital consulting on medication utilization for both large and small animals. Outside of work Dr. Anderson enjoys watching her two daughters play volleyball, riding horses and spending time with friends and family.

Leslie Martin serves as the Assistant Dean of Administration at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she leads the college’s administrative infrastructure, including financial operations, business services, and strategic support functions. In this role, she oversees a diverse portfolio of units, including Operations, Lifelong Learning, Public Affairs, and Web Communications. Prior to stepping into her current position in 2025, Leslie was the Director of Financial Affairs for the college, where she provided high-level oversight of fiscal planning and analysis. Her leadership helped streamline financial operations during a period of institutional growth and change. Leslie’s career at Purdue spans more than a decade, including five years as a Senior Business Manager, where she managed procurement operations for the Colleges of Science and Pharmacy, and over seven years as Business Manager for the Department of Chemistry. Her earlier roles at Purdue also include Business Manager for Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences, and Research Administration Specialist supporting major federal research grants from agencies like NASA and the Department of Energy. Before transitioning to higher education, Leslie built a strong foundation in the financial sector, serving in leadership roles at Industrial Federal Credit Union and Academy Bank. Leslie brings to her work a commitment to operational excellence, strategic fiscal stewardship, and collaborative leadership across academic and administrative domains.

Dean Bret Marsh serves as the Dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and Chief Executive Officer of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. A proud Purdue alumnus, Dr. Marsh earned his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue. His career has been defined by a commitment to public service and One Health principles, connecting animal, human, and environmental health. Prior to returning to Purdue, Dr. Marsh served as Indiana’s State Veterinarian, where he led initiatives in biosecurity, animal disease traceability, and disaster preparedness, gaining national recognition for his expertise. His leadership roles include serving on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s homeland security staff after 9/11, as well as on the board of the United States Animal Health Association and as treasurer for the American Veterinary Medical Association. With a vision to elevate Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine as a top-tier institution, Dr. Marsh is focused on expanding the college’s research profile and advancing Purdue’s One Health initiative. Under his leadership, the college aims to provide practice-ready veterinarians who are well-prepared to address modern health challenges. Dr. Marsh is particularly enthusiastic about developing interdisciplinary collaborations that promote health solutions across species and ecosystems, and he is excited to foster an educational environment where students gain hands-on experience in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Wendt is a nationally recognized cancer biologist and educator whose career reflects excellence in research, mentorship, and academic leadership. With nearly a decade of impactful service at Purdue, he has contributed to graduate education, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, supported by more than $13 million in extramural research funding. His ongoing partnerships with Purdue faculty and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research further strengthen opportunities in comparative oncology and One Health initiatives.

As a dedicated financial and administrative leader, I specialize in overseeing fiscal operations and supporting strategic initiatives within the College of Veterinary Medicine. My role encompasses managing business office professionals and support staff, ensuring compliance with university, federal, and sponsoring agency policies and procedures. I am committed to fostering efficient systems that enhance the analysis and reporting of business activities, contributing to the long-term success of the institution. Some of my core responsibilities include: fiscal oversight and planning for strategic initiatives of the college, team leadership, policy compliance, and system improvement.

Lori began her career at Purdue University in 2008 and has served the College of Veterinary Medicine since 2014. During her tenure, she has transformed the admissions process through data-driven practices, innovative technologies, and strategic recruitment initiatives. A recognized leader in the veterinary admissions community, Lori is an active member of the Admissions & Recruitment Committee (ARC) with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). She has also presented nationally on admissions best practices and virtual recruitment strategies and collaborated with peer institutions across the country to strengthen admissions operations. She holds a Master of Science in Higher Education from Purdue University Global and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Franklin University.

Julia A. Wickard serves as the Executive Director of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association and Constituent Liaison. Previously she served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana. Wickard also has served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Program Support and the Agricultural Liaison at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for the State of Indiana. In addition, Wickard served as the State Executive Director for FSA in Indiana from 2008-2017. Before her federal service, Wickard served as the Executive Vice President of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. She also has worked for Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Inc., and served as Deputy Director in the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture for seven years. She has worked for two members of Congress in Washington D.C., and she serves on several agricultural and community boards and commissions. Wickard graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and political science. She received the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association Certificate of Distinction and was selected as a College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni. She is a graduate of the two-year Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program through AgrIInstitute where she has served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She received the Purdue Women in Agriculture Leadership Award in 2024 and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator as the Supervisor of the Year, as well. Wickard was a recipient of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association Certificate of Distinction in 2022. She was awarded as a 2019 Distinguished Alumni from the Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. Wickard received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 2004 from Governor Joseph E. Kernan, and the Beck’s Hybrids “Beyond the Fence” in 2015. She received numerous national awards during her USDA tenure and was appointed to the Indiana State Fair Board of Directors by Governor Mike Pence in 2015. Wickard, her husband, Chris, and their two young adult children – Jordyn and Jacob, reside in Hancock County on their 100-year homesteaded family farm where they raise registered Angus cattle, Boer goats and assist in operating the farm with her family. Chris also is a graduate of Purdue, BS agribusiness management in 1993, and their kids are students at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.