Office of the President

Meet the President

Since stepping into her role as the 10th president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in July 2022 and as the first Black woman appointed president in the College’s history, President Toyin Tofade has led ACPHS through an exciting era—guided by bold ideas, compassionate leadership and a clear commitment to student success.

President Tofade’s inspiring leadership has not gone unnoticed. She has been a frequent speaker and board member across national platforms and was named to the Albany Business Review’s Power 50 list in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Through it all, President Tofade remains grounded in gratitude and grateful to God for the faculty, staff and students who bring ACPHS to life every day, and for the opportunity to lead a college community united by a shared purpose: advancing health and transforming lives. 

Four-year Accomplishments

The impact during her four-year tenure has been extraordinary:

• Enrollment soared, with total applications up 19%, deposits up 35%, and transfer students increasing by over 700% (as of July 2024)
• PharmD year-one deposits rose by 210% year-over-year
• Increased marketing and advertising resulting in a 19% increase in application and 35% deposits in 2024
• Increased giving by 61% in 2025 and increased alumni engagement
• Assembled a dynamic leadership team driven by SMART goals, to creating a leadership development program for emerging professionals, President Tofade has focused on building a community that’s empowered to lead and inspired to serve. She also implemented practical tools like program reviews and ROI-focused evaluations to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
• Launched a forward-thinking Strategic Plan on a powerful new vision and oversaw the introduction of ACPHS Online—the College’s first-ever online portfolio—expanded academic programs and championed a culture of innovation, accountability and collaboration across campus.
• Advocated on behalf of students to federal and local legislature for several initiatives to improve the student’s college experience around research, international rules, loans, tuition subsidies etc.
• Industrial fellowships for recent grads doubled in 2024
• Acquired programs from St. Rose and achieved criteria to become a university in 2024
• Obtained eight years of accreditation for The School of Pharmacy, 100% licensure in Health Sciences programs and attained 80% placement rate for our students interested in medical school
• Advocated successfully for a revision of middle states (MSCHE) forms and processes to assist future M & A transactions for colleges and universities.
• Global partnerships blossomed in India, the Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil, Indonesia, Taiwan, Seoul and The Grand Bahamas—with more in progress across Asia and Australia to support global learning, faculty research, collaboration and experiential opportunities. Launched new accelerated pathway to MD (APMD) program with WAUSM – the first six-year accelerated pathway to Medical School offered in Upstate New York, and one of only a handful of six-year accelerated programs offered in the U.S.
• Improved the culture of the College per Energage® and implemented leadership development programs. Reorganized several units resulting in a sustainable and thriving Collaboratory.
• Achieved a Carnegie classification of Research College and University, a designation held by only four institutions in the Capital Region.
• Seven new academic programs were launched in 2024 and two in 2025, the College’s largest expansion happened in 2024, including bachelor’s programs in health sciences, psychology, forensic psychology, forensic science and biology, an online master’s in biomedical sciences and a hybrid master’s in cytotechnology and molecular cytology. In 2025, ACPHS added an online master’s in health data science and a bachelor’s in nursing, offered as a 1+2+1 partnership with St. Peter’s Health Partners. These multiple new programs have assisted with shifting interest in health sciences and increasing yield by 1% in 2025. 
• Even more academic programs are on the horizon for 2026 and beyond. These include a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, which is pending state approval, and a physician assistant studies program is preparing for a site visit ahead of its expected debut in 2027.
• Was chosen by the former Mayor of Albany, Kathy Sheehan, to lead a community project to include health services in the new community center opened at West Hill.
• Paid down over $9M of debt, laid the groundwork for strengthening systems in research and AA administration through reimagining the research office and commissioning a workload policy for faculty, and implemented an entrepreneurial spirit with strict P and Ls for all programs resulting in conscious cost control for all units and programs.
• Achieved a fully occupied Life Science Innovation Building and a budget surplus for the Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET). Transferred the license of two pharmacy stores to new owners.
• Consulted with legislators to support the purchase of equipment for CBET in support of the creation of a biopharma/biotech hub as we collaborate with RPI, HVCC, UAlbany .
• Facilitated a merger of equals between ACPHS and Russell Sage College. Advocated successfully and signed a charter petition for NYSED towards the creation of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Russel Sage in perpetuity and for Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Russel Sage to be placed on diplomas now and in the future as well as advocated with the Department of Education around an expedited process for the merger.

2023 Inauguration Ceremony