Honoring Distinguished Leadership
The title President Emeritus is bestowed upon former college presidents whose vision, service and leadership have made a lasting impact on the institution. This honorary designation recognizes exceptional dedication to advancing the College’s mission, strengthening academic excellence, and fostering opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Throughout their tenures, our Presidents Emeriti guided the College through periods of growth, innovation, and transformation. Their contributions helped shape the institution’s academic programs, campus community, strategic direction, and reputation.
While no longer serving in an active presidential role, Presidents Emeriti remain valued members of the College family. Many continue to support the institution through mentorship, advocacy, scholarship, public service, and participation in special events and initiatives.
We proudly recognize the individuals who have earned the title of President Emeritus and celebrate their enduring legacy of leadership and service.
Toyin Tofade, MS, PharmD, CPCC, FFIP
Toyin Tofade was named President Emerita on July 1, 2026 following a four-year tenure of service to Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 
After stepping into her role as the 10th and final president for Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in July 2022, President Emerita Tofade led ACPHS through an exciting era—guided by bold ideas, compassionate leadership and a clear commitment to student success.
The first Black woman appointed president in the College’s history, President Tofade’s inspiring leadership did not gone unnoticed. She was a frequent speaker and board member across national platforms and was named to the 2026 City & State Trailblazers list, as well the Albany Business Review’s Power 50 list in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Through it all, President Tofade remained 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 President Emerita's four-year tenure has been extraordinary.
- Acquired programs from the College of St. Rose and achieved criteria to become a university in 2024
- 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.
- Established more academic programs for 2026 and beyond. This includes a physician assistant studies program which is preparing for a site visit ahead of its expected debut in 2027.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Improved the culture of the College per Energage® and implemented leadership development programs. Reorganized several units resulting in a sustainable and thriving Collaboratory.
- 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.
- Increased marketing and advertising resulting in a 19% increase in application and 35% deposits in 2024
- Achieved a Carnegie classification of Research College and University, a designation held by only four institutions in the Capital Region.
- 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
In May 2025, President Tofade was recognized for giving back to ACPHS with a donation supporting student technology enhancements for one of the lecture rooms on campus. Vice President Michael Pasquarella unveiled a plaque honoring her service.
President, Toyin Tofade and Russell Sage College President, Matthew Shaftel, who were named among the 50 most influential duos in the region by the Albany Business Review in June 2025. The recent list recognizes 100 people committed to improving the Capital Region’s business landscape, building up the region, setting the stage for new investments, and tackling critical issues to create a more vibrant community.
T. Gregory Dewey, PhD
T. Gregory Dewey, PhD, was the ninth president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) between 2014 and 2022. During his tenure, Greg introduced several strategic initiatives to distinguish the school and provide enriching learning opportunities for students. These initiatives include establishing the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training, The Collaboratory, and two student-operated pharmacies. These experiential learning sites provide ACPHS students opportunities to get hands-on experience providing pharmacy and public health services to medically underserved areas.
Prior to joining ACPHS, Greg served for five years as Provost at the University of La Verne in California and served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Finnigan Chair at the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) of Applied Life Science in Claremont, CA. Greg began his academic career in 1982 at the University of Denver where he spent 18 years, including five years as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
James J. Gozzo, PhD
James J. Gozzo, PhD, was the seventh President of Albany College of Pharmacy. He assumed the position of President and Dean in July 1998, separating the two positions in October 1999. When he was named president, the College had just one building, one academic program, and an enrollment of less than 600 students.
During his tenure at ACPHS, he led the way in academic expansion adding six bachelor’s programs and five graduate programs, expanding the diversity of the campus and the range of faculty expertise. He increased the College’s investment in research, creating new funding opportunities, expanding lab space, and establishing the Pharmaceutical Research Institute. During this time, the College acquired or constructed seven buildings, including the student center that now bears his name.
James joined the faculty of Northeastern in 1972 after completing three years of post-doctoral work at Harvard Medical School. In 1976, he assumed the directorship of the graduate program in Medical Laboratory Science. In 1980, James was awarded the Eleanor W. Black Professorship. During this time he established an active research program on the immunobiology of organ transplantation and the early diagnosis of bladder cancer securing over $5 million in research grants and publishing over 200 papers. James was also Dean of the Bouvé College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences of Northeastern University in Boston.
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