Nigerian lady elected as first black female president of college in US

In the 141-year history of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Dr. Tofade is the first Black woman to serve as president. Her term begins on July 1, 2022. 

Toyin Tofade, a Nigerian, was the first black female president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), which was founded in 1881.  

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Press Release

According to a press release by the college, Ms Tofade was selected to become the 10th president of the college, following a comprehensive search. 

“Dr Tofade is the first Black woman to serve as president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the college’s 141-year history. She begins her term on July 1, 2022,”. 

Christopher Di Lascia who chaired the presidential search committee said, “Dr Tofade possesses all the qualities desired, including her deep commitment to academic quality, scholarship, and service, as well as a proven track record of successful management and resource development…” 

Since 2016, the release noted that Ms Tofade had served as the Dean and Professor at the Howard University College of Pharmacy in Washington, D.C. during which the college has nearly doubled enrollment for the class of 2021; doubled the number of student internships; expanded clinical, industrial and international partnerships; and received the maximum number of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) re-accreditation years possible. 

Under her leadership, the college diversified its faculty composition and expertise; revised the curriculum which has led to improved educational outcomes; entered into a one-of-a-kind partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Glaxo to provide fellowship opportunities in regulatory affairs and policy. 

In accepting her new role, Ms Tofade reportedly said, “It is an honour to be selected for this distinguished role by the Board of Trustees at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.” 

During Ms Tofade’s time at Howard University, residencies with Walgreens and Trusted Health Plans were established; multiple partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry yielding postdoctoral fellowship opportunities for Howard graduates have been created under her leadership. 

Alumni giving increased by over 70 percent and the student residency match rate increased from 36 per cent to over 50 percent. 

Biography of Toyin Tofade

Toyin Tofade is Dean and Tenured Professor of Pharmacy at Howard University. Since August of 2016, she has been in this position. 

The College was able to treble the number of internships accessible to students, develop clinical and industrial relationships, and nearly double the student enrolment for the P1 class of 2021 in 2017 thanks to collaboration with teachers, staff, alumni, and students.  

During her leadership, the college was reaccredited for the maximum number of years (4 years) available after an ACPE targeted inspection. In 2017, Dr. Tofade conducted a strategic planning process with her faculty, staff, alumni, students, and board of visitors that resulted in a 5-year plan that went into force in January 2018. 

In 2018, the institution formed a one-of-a-kind agreement with the FDA and GlaxoSmithKline to provide fellowships in regulatory affairs and policy.  

Under her direction, Walgreens and Trusted Health Plan collaborated to build residency programs. She has guided her faculty through a curriculum refining process and has broadened the composition and skill of the faculty. During her tenure, alumni giving climbed by more than 70%, and student residence increased by more than 50%.