The ACPHS Experience

The ACPHS Experience: Become Who You’re Meant to Be

What will life look like here?

At Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, your college journey is more than a major or a career track. It’s a process of becoming: becoming a pharmacist, a scientist, a researcher, a psychologist, a public-health advocate—and also becoming a leader, a teammate, a neighbor a changemaker.

Welcome to the ACPHS Experience: a close-knit, mission-driven, hands-on community built to help you thrive in every dimension—academically, socially and personally.

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Meet Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

What Will Life Feel Like at ACPHS?

Expect growth. Expect support. Expect impact.

At ACPHS, you’re never just going through the motions. You’re part of a purpose-driven environment where learning means doing, and where professors know your name, root for your success and support you toward your next breakthrough.

Here, students don’t wait for graduation to make a difference. Whether you’re serving at our community-health Collaboratory, conducting meaningful research alongside faculty or leading campus-wide wellness efforts, you’re already shaping the future.

Becoming Through Experience

At ACPHS, growth isn’t defined by a single class, lab or internship. It’s the culmination of every experience, on and off campus. You’ll find yourself shaped by the energy of our location, the strength of our community and the opportunities to engage in hands-on learning from day one. Whether you're conducting research alongside faculty, building connections through student life and athletics, or making an impact in the community, every moment contributes to your personal and professional transformation. At ACPHS, you don’t just earn a degree—you become something more through experience.

Campus: Compact, connected and community-focused

ACPHS’ Albany campus places you in walking distance of major medical centers, cultural districts and your classmates.

Whether you’re sipping coffee in the Panthers Den, studying with friends at the library or tossing a football on the campus green, you’ll find spaces that support both your goals and your downtime.

Housing Dining Visit

Student Life & Athletics

Whether you join a club, compete on a Panthers athletics team or attend events like Snack Attack or Springfest, you’ll find a community that works hard and knows how to play too. This is a place where friends become family—and where you’ll discover more about yourself.

Student Life Student Activities Athletics

Faculty: Here to Guide and Support You

Our professors are experienced practitioners, accomplished researchers, and, most importantly, dedicated mentors. They’ll inspire and challenge you while providing individual attention, career guidance, and immersive, hands-on learning opportunities that reach far beyond the classroom.

Faculty Faculty Research

  • 86% of alumni feel they make a difference in the world

  • Dr. Jacquelyn Dwyer and Collaboratory Manager Kaylee Stewart demonstrate a health screening

    The Collaboratory

    College-run ‘Collaboratory’ alleviates community health disparities

  • 54 student-run clubs and organizations

Meet the Students of ACPHS

The best way to understand the ACPHS experience? Hear it from the students who live it.

Real Students: Real Stories of Becoming

Every ACPHS student’s path is different, but each one shares a drive to make a difference. Through academic excellence, hands-on internships, research, residencies, community service and leadership, they’ve grown into professionals who are ready to lead. Explore some of the stories from the Class of 2025 and discover what becoming a Panther means.
  • Audrey DeGraw presents Land Acknowledgement Ceremony

    Audrey DeGraw

    Audrey DeGraw, a microbiology major, proudly led ACPHS’ Land Acknowledgement Ceremony, commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day. DeGraw has worked with ACPHS’ Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to share her Native heritage with the campus community.

    Acknowledging Original Inhabitants of Campus Land
  • Titilayo Sunday

    Titilayo Sunday

    Titilayo Sunday, a pharmacy doctoral candidate, knew she might someday encounter a patient overdosing on opioids. She learned how to handle such a situation during her clinical rotation at The Collaboratory, ACPHS’s public health resource.

    Students train community to reduce harm from opioids
  • Paige Spiess

    Paige Spiess

    Paige Spiess was one of the first to join the Bachelor’s in Health Sciences program—and for her, it was the perfect next step. The pre-professional focus built on the strong science foundation she already had and helped her feel even more prepared for her path to becoming a PA.

    First BS Health Sciences Students Among December Grads
  • Grace O’Boyle

    Grace O’Boyle

    Grace O’Boyle, a forensic psychology major who transferred from the College of Saint Rose, found the transition to ACPHS to be as seamless as possible. She’s continued her studies in psychology, law and criminal justice with many of the same Saint Rose professors who are now part of the ACPHS community.

    Panther Profile: Grace O’Boyle
  • Rafael Diaz Melendez at urgent care rotation

    Rafael Diaz Melendez

    Rafael Diaz Melendez, a PharmD candidate, was on an urgent care rotation when he was asked: did you want to help resuscitate a patient? The next several minutes would end up re-shaping his view of his profession, his patients and his future.

    A Saved Life, and a Changed One
  • Carter Huntley and Julia Sexton

    Carter Huntley and Julia Sexton

    PharmD candidates Carter Huntley and Julia Sexton took part in Saratoga County’s Narcan Training Day, visiting local stores to train managers and staff on how to use naloxone—the life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses.

    Door to Door, Students Distribute a Lifesaver
  • Lexi Karam

    Lexi Karam

    Lexi Karam, a biology transfer from the College of Saint Rose, felt like she finally found her place at ACPHS. Now, she’s headed to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where she plans to pursue her dream of becoming a large-animal veterinarian.

    Panther Profile: Lexi Karam
  • Valerie Carrillo

    Valerie Carrillo

    Valerie Carrillo, a San Diego native and microbiology and molecular biosciences major, grew up in a family dedicated to health care. She credits ACPHS’s strong focus on research and internships with helping her carry that legacy forward.

    Panther Profile: Valerie Carrillo
Happy students pose holding up peace sign

Becoming starts here.

There’s only one way to truly know if ACPHS is where you’re meant to be—come see for yourself.

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