Meet first black female president of a US college, Toyin Tofade

Dr. Toyin Tofade made history as the first Black female president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) in July 2022.

Tofade, since assuming office, has spearheaded transformative initiatives, strengthening the college’s future.

Toyin Tofade: Transformative Leadership at ACPHS
Under her leadership, ACPHS launched a bold new strategic plan and introduced ACPHS Online in March 2024. She restructured academic units, implemented a leadership program for aspiring leaders, and fostered an entrepreneurial spirit across the institution.

Her efforts have driven significant enrollment growth, with total applications rising by 18.58%, deposits increasing by 35.03%, and transfer admissions soaring by 714.29% as of July 2024. PharmD year-one deposits also saw a 210% surge, while industrial fellowship positions for graduates doubled.

2024 marked the largest expansion in ACPHS history, with seven new degree programs approved, including bachelor’s programs in health sciences, psychology, forensic science, and biology, as well as master’s programs in biomedical sciences and cytotechnology.

The student experience has flourished, with heightened media recognition and national championships in men’s track & field and women’s soccer. Her leadership has also expanded partnerships at local, national, and international levels.

Toyin Tofade distinguished career in pharmacy
Before ACPHS, Dr. Tofade was Dean and Professor at Howard University College of Pharmacy. She held key roles at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and served as a clinical specialist at UNC hospitals. She was also Director of Pharmacotherapy Services at Wake AHEC.

A trailblazer in pharmacy leadership, Dr. Tofade became the first Black woman to serve as President of the International Pharmacy Federation (FIP) Academic Pharmacy Section and was named an FIP Fellow in 2018. She has contributed to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and participated in policy advocacy initiatives.

Recognitions and Achievements
Dr. Tofade has earned numerous accolades, including:

Albany Business Review’s Power 50 Executive (two consecutive years)
ASHP’s 2022 Donald E. Francke Medal
UNC Pharmacy Alumni Association’s 2021 Distinguished Service Award
2019 Fred M. Eckel Pharmacy Leadership Award
2018 Distinguished Service Award from NAPPSA
Education and Professional Development
She holds a BPharm from Obafemi Awolowo University, an MS in Pharmacy Practice, and a PharmD from UNC Chapel Hill. She has also completed leadership programs at Harvard Kennedy School and Penn State.