Samantha Shields
Summary
Experienced education leader equipped for role sought. Proven track record in academic administration, strategic planning, and policy implementation. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, with adaptability to changing needs. Skills in leadership, budget management, curriculum development, and conflict resolution. Reliable and highly driven to foster environment of excellence and growth.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Dean, Veterinary School
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
01.2021 - Current
- Attend to day to day running of the veterinary school including all academic and administrative agendas
- Management of staff and faculty. This includes recruiting, hiring, annual evaluations, and training of staff and faculty.
- Assist the Executive Dean with the annual budget matters.
- Primary contact for and managing of the veterinary school's relationship with Government agencies and departments such as Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment.
Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences, Nutrition
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
01.2012 - Current
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
09.2009 - 01.2021
- Attend to all academic, disciplinary, and significant personal matters affecting the veterinary student body.
- Assist the Dean with the management of staff and faculty. This included involvement in hiring and training of staff and faculty.
- Develop and implement new policies and procedures that relate to the day-to-day activities of the school and particularly, the students.
- Coordinate externship and volunteer experience for SMU students within the Cayman Islands and overseas.
- Primary liaison between St. Matthew's and veterinary industry associates. This resulted in many companies providing substantial support via products, webinars, and student experiences.
- Oversee and facilitate the white coat ceremony for the students leaving for clinics.
- Oversee all student clubs and ensure all clubs followed established protocols and policies.
- Oversee the student volunteer program.
- Developed and oversee the Teaching Assistant, Student Mentor and Faculty Mentor Programs
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences , Nutrition, Clinical Skills
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
04.2008 - 12.2011
Instructor
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
04.2007 - 04.2008
Veterinary Account Manager
Hill's Pet Nutrition
01.2007 - 04.2007
- Responsible for educating veterinary clinics about Hill's Pet Nutrition in an assigned territory (downtown Toronto).
- Managed all accounts for my clients.
- Acted as a nutritional resource / consultant for veterinary clinics.
- Assisted veterinarians in understanding and improving upon the business aspects of a veterinary practice.
- Presented seminars on various topics such as nutrition and its role in preventing and managing disease in pets.
Assistant Curator of Terrestrial Exhibits / Staff Veterinarian
Cayman Turtle Centre
04.2006 - 01.2007
- Supervisor / Manager - responsible for overseeing 4 local staff members and numerous volunteers.
- Trained Turtle Centre staff on care and husbandry of the terrestrial animals kept on exhibit.
- Responsible for the daily care and husbandry scheduling of all terrestrial animals.
- Designed, implemented, and standardized protocols to be used at the Turtle Centre for the terrestrial exhibits. These protocols included quarantine guidelines, transitional feeding schedules, treatment schedules, training protocols, equipment handling protocols, and hurricane preparedness protocols.
- Assisted in designing the aviary and iguana enclosures and was responsible for overseeing their construction.
- Took part in husbandry and health care training sessions at Disney Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Later took responsibility for all correspondence with Disney.
- Involved in sourcing, ordering, and organizing the importation of new birds to the island. This involved working closely with the Department of Agriculture veterinarians to obtain the proper permits, book the appropriate flights, and perform the required tests.
- Supervised caiman, bird, and iguana care as well as exhibit maintenance and operations.
Education
Masters of Veterinary Science - Conservation Medicine
University of Edinburgh
04.2020
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - undefined
St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine
10.2004
Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Education
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL09.2004
OWSI - Open Water Scuba Instructor
The McKnight Group
04.1998
Bachelor of Science (ENV) - Environmental Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario05.1996
Bachelor of Science (ENV) - Environmental Science (Year 3)
University of Adelaide
12.1995
Skills
- Extensive management experience
- Skilled in verbal and non-verbal interactions
- Organized, detail oriented, and proficient in time management
- Effective team leadership
- Strong multitasking skills
- Dependable and driven
- Excellent computer skills including sound knowledge of Microsoft Office and internet applications
References
J.Alex, Thomasson, Senior Professional Services Veterinarian, james.thomasson@boehringer-ingelheim.com, 352-422-6527, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Inverness, Florida
Awards
Completed a master’s dissertation reviewing the haematological and morphometric data of the Blue Iguanas. Worked closely with the Department of Environment, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme on this project., Recognized as one of the Top 15 Marine Veterinary Professors (award presented by Vet Tech Colleges)., Worked on a research project in conjunction with the Department of Environment looking at normal blood values of Caribbean Reef Sharks. The project was ultimately postponed due to master’s dissertation., Completed NOAA Coral Disease Rapid Response Training Health Workshop (CCMI)., Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence 2013, Clinical Sciences Teaching Award - St. Matthew’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine - Summer 2013.
Timeline
Dean, Veterinary School
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
01.2021 - Current
Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences, Nutrition
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
01.2012 - Current
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
09.2009 - 01.2021
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences , Nutrition, Clinical Skills
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
04.2008 - 12.2011
Instructor
St. Matthew's University, School of Veterinary Medicine ("SMU")
04.2007 - 04.2008
Veterinary Account Manager
Hill's Pet Nutrition
01.2007 - 04.2007
Assistant Curator of Terrestrial Exhibits / Staff Veterinarian
Cayman Turtle Centre
04.2006 - 01.2007
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - undefined
St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine
Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Education
University of Florida
OWSI - Open Water Scuba Instructor
The McKnight Group
Bachelor of Science (ENV) - Environmental Science
University of Guelph
Bachelor of Science (ENV) - Environmental Science (Year 3)
University of Adelaide
Masters of Veterinary Science - Conservation Medicine
University of Edinburgh
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