President Tofade Concludes her Distinguished Term at ACPHS, as the College Reaches a Milestone in the Merger with Russell Sage College 

President Toyin Tofade shared with the ACPHS community today that she will conclude her term as president of the College on June 30, 2026.

Tofade joined ACPHS in July 2022, becoming the College’s 10th president. Under her leadership, the College launched a forward-thinking strategic plan with a powerful vision. She oversaw the introduction of the College’s first-ever online portfolio, the largest expansion of academic programs since its inception, and championed a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration across campus. She led the negotiation and co-creation of the merger with Russell Sage, which will preserve the ACPHS legacy for years to come and create the region’s premier healthcare-forward comprehensive university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

President Tofade’s collaborative efforts with faculty, staff, and students have resulted in significant, lasting and measurable successes at ACPHS.

• Academic Innovation & Enrollment: Embarked on the largest expansion of programs in the history of the College. Launched several new academic programs in the school of Health Sciences, contributing to a 19% increase in applications and a 210% year-over-year increase in PharmD deposits. Increased yield in 2025.
• Institutional Advancement: Achieved university status, secured a full eight-year Pharmacy accreditation, and maintained a 100% licensure rate for Health Science programs. Received the Carnegie designation of Research Institution.
• Strategic Merger & Advocacy: Led the process that resulted in Board of Trustee approval and subsequent co-creation of the upcoming merger with Russell Sage College. Successfully advocated at state and federal levels for regulatory changes in Merger & Acquisition processes and student-centric legislative reforms.
• Financial Stewardship: Improved the College’s financial health by significantly paying down debt. LSIB is fully occupied, and the CBET/LSIB operations are in a surplus.
• Operational Excellence: Ensured continued growth for The Collaboratory and CBET, while fostering an entrepreneurial culture and a more robust campus environment.
• People and Culture: Expanded opportunities for feedback and connectivity with multiple constituents, including alumni.
• Local and Global leadership: Chosen by former Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to lead the community process of identifying clinical services for the clinically designated facilities at the West Hill community center. Launched a multidisciplinary annual leadership program for the College and received improved culture ratings, according to Energage. Expanded international partnerships to six continents.

President Tofade explained that as the merger with Russell Sage proceeds as planned and on the right track, she felt it was the right time to conclude her term.

“I am optimistic about the promising future ahead and look forward to completing the first phase of the merger transaction on June 1. Transitions of this kind are common during mergers, and I remain committed to supporting a successful transition as President Emeritus, effective July 1, 2026. I’m very grateful for the collaboration and hard work of the many individuals and transition team leaders who have worked diligently to get us to this milestone,” she said.

“President Tofade has brought ACPHS through a historic chapter,” said ACPHS Board of Trustees Chair Walter S. Borisenok. “The strategic plan she created with our community helped propel the college forward toward this shared vision for a healthcare-forward comprehensive university that continues our legacy in pharmacy, the health sciences, and research. The ACPHS Board of Trustees is extremely grateful for her leadership and service.”

As outlined in the transaction agreement approved by both boards of trustees in July 2025, Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel will serve as president of the fully merged institution, which, pending regulatory approvals, will be called Russell Sage University. From July 1 this year until the final approval of the merger, Shaftel, along with Russell Sage Provost Theresa Hand, will lead both institutions in an interim capacity, in partnership with both colleges’ leadership teams.

“We could not have arrived at this point in the merger without the leadership and vision of President Tofade, who co-created the plans for Russell Sage University, soon-to-be the region’s premier healthcare-forward comprehensive university, which will continue the legacy, identity, and transformative work of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” said Russell Sage College President Matthew Shaftel. “We have logged so many hours together working through the details and have discovered the synergies and shared values between our two historic colleges with national reputations for empowering social mobility and providing an unmatched return on investment. President Tofade has built a strong leadership team, and I look forward to working with them, the trustees, and our Russell Sage leaders as we move toward the combined university.”

In President Tofade’s announcements to ACPHS students, faculty, staff and alumni this morning, she expressed heartfelt appreciation for the College’s tight-knit community spirit, “It has been my honor to serve you as the 10th president of ACPHS, and I will miss the ACPHS community. I am profoundly grateful to our students, my dedicated leadership team and the entire ACPHS community, higher education colleagues, Capital Region leaders and friends for the collaborations that have brought us to this moment. As we prepare to welcome a new era, I look forward to connecting with you all over the coming months to celebrate our students, their achievements, and the vital work we do together. I appreciate everything you continue to do for ACPHS, and I wish you every blessing.”

Learn more about her tenure of excellence from 2022 to 2026.