Dr. Ruby Perry, Longtime Veterinary Medical Educator, Elected Chair of Environmental Management Commission

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Dr. Ruby L. Perry, retired Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University, was elected today to chair the Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC).

The Commission establishes rules, regulations and environmental standards for Alabama, sets the state’s environmental policy, appoints the director of the Alabama Departmental of Environmental Management (ADEM), and hears appeals of ADEM’s administrative action.

Dr. Perry, DVM, MS, PhD, was appointed to the Commission’s chemist/veterinarian position in October 2018. She previously served as Commission vice chair and was elected chair by her fellow commissioners.

“The election as Commission Chair is a great honor, and I thank my colleagues on the Commission, many of whom I have served with for years, for their support and confidence in me,” Dr. Perry said. “As someone with a long history in veterinary medical education, I am a strong advocate for impactful, science-based environmental stewardship.

“The work of this Commission in setting environmental policy, as well as determining environmental rules, regulations and standards, is critical to protecting our air, land and water resources and the health of Alabamians. I look forward to continuing my work with the Commission in this new leadership role.”

Dr. Perry received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Poultry Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University. She also holds a Master of Science in Microbiology from Michigan State University, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Keiser University.

She completed the veterinary radiology residency at Michigan State and was the first African-American female board-certified veterinary radiologist in the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Dr. Perry taught at Michigan State for 20 years before returning to Tuskegee University in 2007. She was appointed interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee in 2014, and dean in 2015. She has held numerous other leadership positions at both Michigan State and Tuskegee.

In 2024, Dr. Perry received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone as well-qualified as Dr. Perry to chair the Environmental Management Commission,” ADEM Director Edward Poolos said. “She has long been a leader in education, as well as in her community, and has a great understanding of environmental issues in Alabama.”