Interim Leadership

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President Emeritas, Toyin Tofade, and Russell Sage College President, Matthew Shaftel, have worked closely together on the co-creation of the historic merger between the two colleges. Together, with support from their Cabinets and senior leadership teams, they have led all efforts to advance the merger, including achieving provisional approval from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and approval the New York State Board of Regents, pending U.S. Department of Education approval.

Dr. Tofade concluded her service to ACPHS on June 30, 2026, when the colleges completed the first stage of the merger.

On July 1, 2026, Matthew Shaftel, assumed the role of Interim President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Theresa Hand, has been named Interim Executive in Charge, Executive Vice President and Provost. The leaders continue to work closely with the ACPHS Cabinet to oversee operations at ACPHS until federal approval for the merger from the U.S. Department of Education is granted, which is anticipated by Summer 2027.

 

Matthew Shaftel, PhD

Headshot of Matthew Shaftel, Interim President of ACPHS

President, Russell Sage College
Interim President, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Learn more about Dr. Shaftel

 

 

 

Theresa H. Hand, OTP

Headshot of Theresa Hand, Interim Provost for ACPHS

 

Executive Vice President and Provost, Russell Sage College
Interim Executive in Charge, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Learn more about Dr. Hand