Dr. Ashley Stokes brings her drive to thrive as new UC Davis Ag & Environmental Sciences dean

From her earliest days, Dr. Ashley M. Stokes was the child who always needed to know why. She had a tiny microscope, and her dad would prick his finger and let her look at the drop of blood under the microscope. Her mom instilled within her a love of birdwatching and learning about behaviors and habitats. That childlike curiosity and drive helped lead her to increasingly
prominent leadership roles within higher education.

In late June 2025, Dr. Ashley Stokes packed up her belongings and drove with her cat from the University of Tennessee, where she was a professor of veterinary large animal clinical sciences and served as dean of UT Extension, to the University of California, Davis. Along the way, she visited national parks, arriving in Davis to begin her new role as dean of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in July 2025. In this role, she oversees the college’s people, programs, and resources, directs its research and extension efforts, and represents the college in university and statewide leadership.

Whether it’s working as a leader, in extension, or as a veterinarian, so much of what we do helps people, animals, and the environment thrive. ~ Ashley Stokes

“To be a good leader, you have to be willing to continually learn all the time,” Dr. Stokes said. “I
consider myself forever a student—I love to learn.”

Along with her love of learning, she is passionate about helping communities thrive—a value
she lives by and fosters in others. “Whether it’s working as a leader, in extension, or as a
veterinarian, so much of what we do helps people, animals, and the environment thrive,” she
said.

Now, Dr. Stokes brings that same drive to UC Davis, where she envisions ambitious goals and
meaningful contributions. “Even though I’m in a college of agricultural and environmental
sciences, I would really like to grow the collaborations with the veterinary college here,” she
said. “When we think about One Health—the interconnectedness of human, animal, and
environmental health—and we look at our planet, people, and animals, it makes so much sense for us to grow that partnership and make a lasting difference.”

Although the college already excels in many areas, Dr. Stokes hopes to take it even further. “The program is number two in the world, and it sure would be great to be number one,” she said.

Her strong sense of ambition can be traced to her time at LSU Vet Med, where she became the first person to obtain both a DVM and PhD from the school. Sparked by a love of research, she suggested the dual degree to faculty members while volunteering in the lab of Dr. Rustin Moore, one of her mentors. “I was a first-year veterinary student, and I started out volunteering in Dr. Moore’s lab. I approached him and said, ‘Hey, there are some other universities that are doing this. What do you think?’”

Her request was approved, and together with other LSU Vet Med leaders, they developed an
early version of the dual degree program. She earned her DVM in 2001 and her PhD in
cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology in 2003. After graduation, she taught at LSU Vet
Med for five years, playing a role in Hurricane Katrina rescue and recovery, before moving on to positions at the University of Hawaii, Colorado State University, and the University of
Tennessee.

The issues that are local have global implications too,” she said. “It’s really neat in these jobs
that I’ve been able to connect at both the local and global level. Whether it’s working with
horse owners in Louisiana, beef producers in Kenya, or kids in 4-H in American Samoa, these
connections can help drive global change while also helping others thrive in their lives.

“I can’t wait to see what we’re going to accomplish together here at UC Davis,” she said.