PRIORITIES PROGRESS
JULY 1, 2022 – JUNE 30, 2023
It has been my honor and a great pleasure to serve as ACPHS’ president over the last year. Throughout this busy and productive time, I have witnessed the intelligence and extraordinary dedication of our close-knit community of students, scholars, educators and staff.
When I arrived on campus July 1, 2022, I was told that ACPHS was the best-kept secret in higher education – a treasure for those resourceful enough to find it. Indeed, there is much to boast about, including our longstanding reputation as a pharmacy educator par excellence; our experiential educational opportunities across the country and the globe, including our pharmacies and a public health “Collaboratory” that reach under-served residents in our own community; the first college-based biopharmaceutical education and training center in the country; NIH-funded research that provides opportunities for students and advances understanding of diseases like HIV and breast cancer; and our #1 ranking for ROI. Students tell us about the value of the personal relationships they develop here with faculty, and the connections that help them explore and secure careers in pharmacy, industry, health sciences, life sciences, health policy, government relations and more.
We must remove the cloak of secrecy from the great work we do and the tremendous value we offer, and it is my commitment, and pleasure, to do so.
During my first campus retreat with faculty and staff last August, I introduced my initial priorities for ACPHS. Using the symbol of a butterfly, we focused on unique ways we could make small changes with significant impact. I am grateful for the faculty, staff, alumni, friends and students that have committed to our work and continue to support our future.
Herein, I provide a brief report on our progress to date. Both health care and higher education have gone through enormous changes in the last several years, and we must adapt and innovate to build a sustainable future for ACPHS. We must develop a mindset that consistently seeks opportunities for growth. With the renewed focus on Life Sciences and Allied Health Sciences programming announced in May, we are forging a path toward a new future.
In the meantime, I am always open to your thoughts and insights, and I look forward to hearing from you and serving you in your journey.
Sincerely,
Greetings!
ALBANY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
We must remove the cloak of secrecy from the great work we do and the tremendous value we offer, and it is my commitment, and pleasure, to do so.
Year at a Glance 2022-23
AUGUST 2022
16 – President Tofade hosts staff retreat, where she presents her priorities for the year.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Community leaders and the campus community get sneak peeks of the new Life Sciences Innovation Building (LSIB).
OCTOBER 2022
President Tofade builds framework for transparent communications by building a leadership council, hosting a town hall for the campus community and creating Pizza with the Prez gatherings for students.
13 – ACPHS announces $1.9M FDA contract at a ribbon-cutting and BioInnovation forum at the LSIB.
NOVEMBER 2022
14 – Women’s soccer team wins first national championship.
DECEMBER 2022
5-8 –ACPHS is front and center at ASHP’s midyear clinical meeting.
President Tofade is recognized for her international pharmacy work, the College promotes its burgeoning fellowship program and students place in the Top Ten of the clinical skills competition.
22 – A new vision statement kicks off the ACPHS strategic planning process for 2024- 2029.
JANUARY 2023
The College Enrollment Management Council commences, launching an interdepartmental collaborative effort to boost enrollment.
FEBRUARY 2023
14 – President Tofade hosts State of the College event , which includes a presentation of students’ perspective by SGA President Dom Lomonaco, and introduces an “l Love ACPHS” engagement campaign.
MARCH 2023
23 – A new employee expectations guide, reflecting DEI principles and College values, is presented to faculty and staff.
APRIL 2023
1 – Breast cancer research funded by a new, three-year $480,000 NIH grant begins in Dr. Kideok Jin’s laboratory.
6-7 – ACPHS holds its Annual Research Symposium.
MAY 2023
1 – ACPHS is recognized by Business Insider as the #1 college in the nation for ROI,* based on data from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
24 – CBET moves into the LSIB. Students will conduct advanced research and training on site.
13 – ACPHS holds its 143rd Commencement at SPAC, with more than 260 students receiving bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
25 – President Tofade shares the latest plans for growing Health Sciences, following her appointment of Professor Meenakshi Malik as associate dean of that division.
JUNE 2023
ACPHS hires a new director of admissions and an associate vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
26 – Celebration of Collaboratory’s new location and a $75,000 MVP Health Care grant to support the public health site’s mission.
28 – Outline for a new strategic plan is developed, identifying five guiding pillars: academic excellence, quality student experiences, people and culture, engaging with communities, and financial health and sustainability.
Marion Morton is recognized for her seven years chairing the Board of Trustees, and Walter S. Borisenok becomes Chair.
4-20 - ACPHS is one of three organizations nationally to host the NIIMBL eXperience onsite.
JULY 2023
14 – President Tofade is named to Albany Business Review’s Power 50 list of the most influential businesspeople in the Capital Region.
*Using income accrual through 40 years post-enrollment
PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITIES
President Tofade began as the 10th president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on July 1, 2022. Following a listening tour with campus constituents and community members, she held a campuswide retreat for employees and announced her key priorities for the College. Over the last year, much work has been done in each area. Highlights are noted below under each priority category.
Priority #1: Increase Enrollment
Following a year of intensive recruiting efforts, deposits are up 4% for first-year students planning to enter ACPHS in Fall 2023 and 7% for incoming master’s students, year over year.** Enrollment increases were seen in the undergraduate pharmacy and biomedical technology programs, and in master’s programs in clinical laboratory sciences (CLS), cytotechnology and molecular cytology, and pharmaceutical sciences. Deposits for transfer students and new students entering the pharmacy doctorate program declined.
ACPHS leadership has responded to recent enrollment trends by seeking opportunities in growth areas with a reimagining process, announced in May. While continuing to strengthen its core pharmacy programs, the College now has a dedicated Health Sciences arm reflecting two distinct tracks, the Department of Life Sciences and the Department of Allied Health Sciences.
**As of June 9, 2023
Priority #2: Enhance Awareness and Reputation
Addressing the need to increase recognition of ACPHS’ excellence in higher education, the Office of Communications and Marketing was established in 2022. Content strategy has included communications to internal and external audiences, digital advertising, social media and media relations. Results have included dramatic increases in website pageviews (39%), with a whopping 470% increase in the number of web sessions driven by social media engagement.
Pharmacy (entering undergraduates): ▲ 13% Biomedical technology (B.S.): ▲ 33% CLS and cytotech (M.S.): ▲ 50%
Web sessions driven by social media engagement ▲ 470% Website Pageviews ▲ 39% 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 8.92% INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS Fall 2022 – Fall 2023 F ’20 ....... 2432 F ’22 ...... 2591 F ’21 2511 F ’23 2822 July-May 2023 July-May 2022
Priority #3: Identify and Create Multiple Revenue Streams
The College’s largest contract ever, a $1.9 million deal with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop and deliver a customized mRNA-based vaccine training program for the agency’s employees, was secured in October by the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET).
ACPHS continues to build on its robust affiliation agreements. A new articulation agreement, building a pipeline of students to our biopharmaceutical programs, was signed with Hudson Valley Community College in May. Another agreement signed in June will allow ACPHS graduates to move seamlessly into occupational therapy and physical therapy programs at Russell Sage College. Fundraising for the fiscal year has totaled more than $4.5 million. More than 150 students received scholarships and awards during this period.***
ACPHS has selected Lindauer, a leading executive search firm, to lead a national search to fill a vacant Vice President of Institutional Advancement position, a key role expected to contribute to the transformational efforts of the College as it embarks on a new strategic plan.
***Figures as of June 15, 2023
Priority #4: Increase Intentional Engagement
ACPHS launched an internal newsletter, profiling campus leaders and achievements. The newsletter is distributed to faculty, staff, students and parents/caregivers, totaling about 2,300 recipients each week, with an average of 2,049 opens weekly. A campuswide campaign launched in February to encourage and support ways for community members to engage on campus. Student engagement has thrived, as seen through increased activity in clubs and organizations. Use the QR code to learn more about student activities.
Priority #5: Strengthen the Foundations of the College
A 2024-2029 Strategic Planning Steering Committee has undertaken a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of the College. Through this effort, a new vision statement has emerged to serve as a beacon for the College’s future work: ACPHS strives to be a global leader in preparing students for transformative health careers to solve problems that change the world. The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan will highlight five pillars:
ɯ academic excellence
ɯ quality student experience
ɯ people and culture
ɯ engaging with communities
ɯ fiscal sustainability
Work will continue into the fall semester, with a goal of sharing a new plan in January 2024.
In March, employees received a new guide to professional expectations and the embodiment of the College’s values. Moving forward, the College will work to develop its talent with a focus on leadership development.
Priority #6: Keep Listening, Learning and Executing in Alignment with the Strategic Plan
In her first year, President Tofade has maintained an active schedule, meeting with dozens of stakeholders. She has been proactive in engaging the campus community through Town Halls, student forums called “Pizza with the Prez” and open office hours.
In alignment with ACPHS’ core values and to further the College’s ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on campus, the College conducted an extensive search to fill the new position of associate vice president of DEI. An AVP has been hired, and the DEI office will be active this fall to continue creating a more inclusive culture at ACPHS.
Scholarships & Awards $382,440 CBET $2.4 million Residencies & Fellowships $1.2 million $4.5M TOTAL RAISED
Scholarly Activity
ACPHS faculty across all academic departments are engaged in research focused on untangling the complex mechanisms of disease, diagnosing and characterizing disease markers, identifying new and effective drug therapies, and understanding the clinical challenges associated with delivering the most effective healthcare to diverse patient populations. During Spring 2023, 13 sponsored projects were underway with a value topping $1.8 million.
See a full report of ACPHS research faculty and their work in the 2023 Faculty Research Profiles.
OUR MISSION:
We educate the next generation of leaders to improve the health of our society.
OUR VISION:
ACPHS strives to be a global leader in preparing students for transformative health careers to solve problems that change the world.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Walter S. Borisenok, Chair
Marion Morton '84, Outgoing Chair
William G. Shields '84, Treasurer
Richard H. Daffner '63, Secretary
Helen A. Ashuntantang '06
Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer '87
Paul DerOhannesian II
Christopher Di Lascia '83
Michael Duteau '92
Edward J. Enos '84
Donna French '88
Hugh A. Johnson
Susan Learned '91
PRESIDENT’S SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
John Felio, Vice President of Student Affairs
Anuja Ghorpade, Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Tiffany Gutierrez, Vice President of Enrollment Management
Michelle Lewis, Executive Director, Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training
Meenakshi Malik, Associate Dean for Health Sciences
Diane O’Connor, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Michele Vien, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO
James Notaro '84
Wallace Pickworth '69
Pamela Schweitzer
Gregory Sciarra '93
David Stack '76
Marc Watrous '91
Pamela Williamson
Kandyce J. Daley '74, Trustee Emeritus
