Approximately 270 students were named to this honor, awarded to full-time, undergraduate students who have successfully completed their coursework with a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 score.

The students honored study programs across ��ѿTV’ array of 11 academic offerings in both its School of Health Sciences and School of Pharmacy including include Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, Health Sciences, Microbiology, Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Psychology and Public Health.

The students come from various cities throughout New York State, as well as:

• Approximately 20 additional states across the country, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Vermont.
• One U.S. territory – Puerto Rico
• Five countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, South Korea and the U.S.

View a full list of the��Spring 2026 Dean’s List recipients below.

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The main feature however, was special recognition from Human Resources Director Heather Erwin and enthusiastic rounds of applause for employees achieving the milestones noted below.

2026 Retirements:

• 39 years: Laurie Briceland ’83, Professor, Pharmacy Practice

• Seven years: Insong “James” Lee – Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Five Year Milestones:

• Robert Coleman, Head Coach Men’s Basketball, Athletics and Recreation
• Payel Datta, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences
• Bowen Meng, Instructor, Life Sciences
• Anne McCabe, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences
• Daniel Woods, Adjunct Instructor, Life Sciences
• Rebecca Jackson, Administrative Specialist, Pharmacy Practice
• Nana Le ’20, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Kaylee Stewart ’24, Manager, Collaboratory
• Ariana Barlas, Tutor, Center for Student Success
• Michael Goodman, Tutor, Center for Student Success
• Julia Huston, Teaching Technician, Allied Health Sciences
• Nicoy Pusey, Associate Director of Admissions, Admissions
• Sara Clark, Administrative Assistant, Life Sciences
• Emily Bonneau, Associate Director of Enrollment, Enrollment Management
• Calista Lloyd, Pharmacy Technician, Student Operated Pharmacy

10 Year Milestones:

• Kristen Ruby, Assistant Director Admin Operations (11 Yrs – 2025)
• Kelly Quinn, Senior Associate Registrar, Registrar
• Katie Palmer, Director Pharmacy Admissions, Pharmacy Practice
• Nick O’Donnell, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Jacqueline Cleary, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Megan Krajewski, Associate Director for Student Life, Residence Life
• Christine Banewicz, Director Student Accounts, Student Accounts
• Sarah Ohnsman, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions, Admissions

15 Year Milestones:

• Joseph Lanni, Physical Plant Supervisor, Physical Plant
• Katherine Cabral, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Donald Stringle, Adjunct Instructor, Life Sciences
• Eric Yager, Associate Professor & Chair, Allied Health Sciences
• Binshan Shi, Associate Professor, Life Sciences
• Lauren Purington, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences��

20 Year Milestones:

• Michele Vien, CFO-Sr. VP Finance & Administration, Finance
• Katie Cardone ’06, ’08, Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Marijeanne Broadwell, Assistant Comptroller, Finance
• Paul Schneider, Mailroom Specialist, Mail Room
• Robert Carter, Senior Network Administrator, Network and Telecommunications
• Trudy Thomas-Smith, Tutor, Center for Student Success

25 Year Milestone:

• Michael Brodeur, Professor, Pharmacy Practice
  

35 Year Milestone:

• Martha Hass, Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Faculty Senate Chair

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American Chemical Society Award

Highest GPA of Sixth-Year Student in General Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I and II

Matthew A. Romack

Merck and Company for Excellence in Pharmaceutics Top GPA in Pharmaceutics

Daniel T. Le

Merck and Company for Excellence in Cardiology and Neurology��

Top GPA in PTPM Cardio and PTPM Psych��

Kate Elise Dushane

APHA-ASP Make Your Mark Award – APHA-ASP Advisor

Christine Seorim Choi

Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York Award

Nana Dwomoh Osei

Merck and Company for Excellence in Experiential Education

Julia R. Zaniewski

Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award – Second Highest Ranked Student in Pharmaceutics

Kate Elise Dushane

Carolyn Marie Metzler Award

Sean Green

BS Applied Science Research��

BS Graduate Who Participated in Applied Research Activities��

Jalin R. Williams and Payton Rose Woodward

BS Basic Science Research��

BS Graduate Who Participated in Basic Science Research��

Michael Edward Facteau and Ella M. Tangorra

BS Community Service

BS Student Demonstrating Commitment to Community Service

Jonah Wheeler

BS Cultural Awareness��

BS Student Demonstrating Cultural Awareness as Part of Health and Well-Being

Annette Rajesh

BS Leadership

BS Student Demonstrating Strong Leadership Activities��

Afomiya Kassie

MS Research

Graduating Master’s Student with a Commitment to Research��

Sydney Nussbaum

The Dr. Jeffrey Fudin Interdisciplinary Award��

Student with Desire to Go into Clinical Practice and Work on an Interdisciplinary Team��

Najma V. Richards

Dr. Barry Reiss Memorial Scholarship

Kathryn Eglington and Nico Lee

Dean Anuja Ghorpade Triangle of Excellence Scholarship

Briana Miranda and Alexander Tow

Debbie Savage Award

Nana Akua Sefa Adonu and Brett Potter Richards

The post Honoring the Excellence of the Class of 2026 appeared first on ��ѿTV.

��Who is the ��ѿTV Class of 2026?��

The graduates come from various towns and cities throughout New York state as well as:������

• Twenty-three additional states, including: CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, VA, VT, WA��

• Two U.S. territories: Guam and Puerto Rico��

• Eleven countries, including: United States, Antigua & Barbuda (St. John), Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea, Taiwan��

��Among these students, degrees to be conferred include:������

• 114 Bachelor of Science candidates, of them:��

• • 49 BS Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPK) degrees awarded concurrently to PharmD students, and one BS Public Health degree awarded concurrently to a PharmD student��

• 48 Master of Science degree candidates��

• 11 Bachelor of Science/Master of Science combined degree program candidates��

• 87 Doctor of Pharmacy degree candidates��

Pomp and Circumstance  ��

A time-honored procession punctuated by bagpipes from Capital District United Pipe Band and an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem by ��ѿTV alumna, Alicia Bautista ’21, kicked off the festivities. Board of Trustees Chair, Walt Borienok, opened the ceremony.  ��

Borisenok, who led a pharmaceutical company after getting a degree as a microbiologist, encouraged students to be flexible, adaptable and never stop learning.����

President Tofade welcomed the graduates and their families and friends before introducing the Commencement speaker, David M. Stack ’76. Stack retired in January 2024 from Pacira Biosciences. For 17 years, he served as chairman and CEO building the organization into a fully integrated acute care company with a non-opioid pain portfolio responsible for treating more than 17 million patients in the United States.����

“Today is the start of your new beginning. Please be bold, curious, tenacious, and courageous to attack opportunities to develop new technologies and new medicines/devices to improve patient care,” Stack told the graduates. “Believe in yourself. You are an expert. Too often, access decisions are being made by people with no healthcare education training or orientation. Be the voice of your patients.”��

This year’s student speaker, Ejoraa Ninche is a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology degree candidate from Long Island, New York. She plans to pursue medical school through��Upstate Medical University’s early admissions program. Ninche explored the question of “why not?” in her remarks and how this has shaped her journey through life and at ��ѿTV.��

“Looking back, every��why not��moment in my life was me doing the best I could with what I knew at the time. I did not have all the answers. And with each experience, I learned, and I grew,” she said.�� “And that is what ��ѿTV has given me, and I believe it has given us all. This institution has forced us to step out of our comfort zones. It has challenged us to think differently. And it has prepared us not just to succeed, but to keep improving.”��

President’s Charge to the Class of 2026��

��ѿTV President, Toyin Tofade, concluded the ceremony with a charge for students. She encouraged the graduates to LOVE their careers: ��

• Love what you do.����

• Observe and learn from those that have gone ahead of you. ��

• Vibrant.��Bring vibrance and vivaciousness to your work. People love to hang around happy people.��

• Excellence. Continue to be excellent on every project, every task, every relationship. Take your ��ѿTV values with you wherever you go.��

“Again, I say to the Class of��2026,��you remain part of the ��ѿTV community forever. Stay in touch. Bring your new knowledge of the world back to future classes, as alumni, preceptors, guest lecturers, mentors – as others have done for you.”��

Each ��ѿTV graduate has a unique story to share about their journey and why they chose ��ѿTV. From academic excellence, internships, residencies and fellowships to community service, research, and leadership, ��

Check out some photos from the ceremony in our Times Union

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On May 13, 2026, we celebrate a century anniversary of O’Brien’s groundbreaking making it what it is today.

Check out the .

Excerpt from NY Heritage Archives

In September 1925, ACP once again had to limit its class size due to cramped quarters. According to the 1926 Catalog, the demand for licensed and junior pharmacists far exceeded the supply and larger salaries were being paid.

Though ACP was able to lease space at St. Sophia Hall on Lancaster Street for overflow classes, it was clear that this stopgap measure would not hold for long. Students would “miss the lecture halls, laboratories, corridors and smoking room” on Eagle Street,��but they were clearly ready for a change.

By November 1925, at the request of Sen. William T. Byrne and Charles Gibson, President of the College’s Board of Trustees, the Albany County supervisors deeded to ACP a plot of land on New Scotland Avenue for the construction of a new College of Pharmacy.��The land, located across from Albany Hospital, originally had been the site of a farm for the Albany Alms House.

The new building, designed by architect Alex Selkirk, was planned as three stories of tapestry brick and limestone for a cost of $300,000, and would accommodate 500 students. Ground was broken May 13, 1926, with the Honorable John Boyd Thacher, Mayor of Albany, presiding. The cornerstone was set by Dr. Charles H. Johnson, Grand Senior Warden of the State Grand Lodge of Masons.

Members of the Class of 1926 resolved that each graduate would pay the sum of $100 to the Permanent Equipment fund to be used for the facility.

Occupied for the first time in the fall of 1927, the new edifice included labs for Pharmacy, Botany and Materia Medica, Pharmacognosy, Histology and Chemistry; a model pharmacy; an auditorium for 500; a photography room; a library; a gym, complete with showers and locker room; an alumni room and a “co-ed’s” lounge, furnished with stylish wicker furniture.

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��GOWNS

All caps and gowns are black, uniting the class and graduates of the past.

• Graduates receiving a��bachelor’s degree wear a standard black gown at Commencement.
• Graduates receiving a��master’s degree wear a black gown with longer closed sleeves to indicate their academic status.
• Graduates receiving a��doctorate��wear a more elaborate robe, with velvet striping on the arms.

HOODS

To further differentiate and symbolize academic standing, graduates wear academic hoods with different colors. The academic hood is draped around the neck and over the shoulders, showing different colors based on the degree being obtained by the graduate.

• Graduates receiving a��bachelor’s or master’s��degree wear maroon, black, white and gold-trimmed academic hoods.
• Graduates receiving a��doctorate��degree wear a maroon, black, white and olive trimmed academic hood. Olive is the universal color representing pharmacy on academic hoods.

CAPS

To top it off, graduates wear different caps as well.

• Those receiving a��bachelor’s or master’sdegree wear a mortarboard, a standard four-sided cap.
• Those receiving a��doctorate��degree wear a black tam, a velvet cap with eight sides.

All graduates wear a gold tassel with a charm identifying their graduation year.

CORDS

Graduates also wear colored cords to indicate their Latin honors status. In recognition of distinguished academic achievement, the College awards graduation honors to undergraduate and doctorate students based on the cumulative GPA calculated from didactic coursework taken at the time of graduation. For PharmD students, these honors awards are based on the cumulative GPA calculated from required professional coursework and professional electives during the professional years of P1 to P3.��

• Cum Laude cords (maroon and bronze) are awarded to students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 – 3.6.
• Magna Cum Laude cords (maroon and silver) are for students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.7– 3.8.
• Summa Cum Laude cords (maroon and copper) are��for students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or better.

There are also cords to recognize students who are members of Phi Lambda Sigma, the international��pharmacy leadership society, and student who are members of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.

• Green and gold cords are worn by Phi Lambda Sigma members
• Purple and white cords are worn by Rho Chi members

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But making a difference extends beyond medicine, drugs and research – it begins with compassion, empathy and service. Whether it’s volunteering time, sharing knowledge, or offering a hand to someone in need, the spirit and act of giving connects the ��ѿTV community to something larger. It reminds us that growth isn’t just about personal and professional achievement but about lifting others along the way.

There are myriad reasons why and how members of the ��ѿTV community choose to give. For some, it’s a thoughtful financial decision while others choose to be involved through the donation of time, talent and/or volunteerism. There are many individuals who find ways to give back to ��ѿTV or pay-it-forward for ��ѿTV students and for the betterment of our community.�� And the outcome is undeniable; the impact can change someone’s life.

Throughout ��ѿTV’ history, first exclusively as a pharmacy college and now educating leaders across the health-care and health sciences spectrum, donors have played a critical role in shaping lives. Whether through time, talent or treasure, the marks made are indelible.

Being The Change
Members of the ��ѿTV graduating class of 2011 developed the “Be the Change” Scholarship to honor the work and impact of faculty member, Ray Chandrasekara, PhD.�� The fund was designed to support a student who demonstrates dedication to the ��ѿTV community through service and leadership, displays an eclectic school and life balance and embodies selflessness, sharing this attribute with others.

“We created this award in honor of our great professor, but also great friend, Ray Chandrasekara. He was more than just a professor; he was a true mentor and guide for us as we found our path at ��ѿTV,” said Nathan Rogers ’11, PharmD. “He was so integral��in our learning process and shaping us into the professionals we are today, that we decided to create an endowment scholarship in his name because our group was very compelled to give back to someone who gave so selflessly to us.”

Dr. Rogers and fellow alum, Brian Fox ’12, PharmD, are accomplished pharmacists and co-founders of Active Ingredient Brewing Company, located in Malta, New York. The pair was recently honored by the College with a Collaboration and Community Values Alumni Award for actively supporting programs that promote cooperation, sharing of resources and expertise, and mutual support in the community.

SeHan Jeong ’25, PharmD, was awarded the Be the Change scholarship during her time at ��ѿTV. The recent alumnahad some pivotal experiences at ��ѿTV which exemplified Dr. Ray’s example of service and leadership including navigating school through the COVID-19 pandemic, rising through the leadership ranks within the Student Government Association, and supporting the College during the development of its ambitious 2024-29 Strategic Plan.

Reflecting on Dr. Ray’s leadership, Dr. Jeong says, “His encouragement helped shape my years on campus, and now, as I transition into residency and beyond, this award feels like a gentle reminder encouraging me to carry that legacy forward. This gift made by the Class of 2011 in honor of a remarkable educator has become an acknowledgment of the positive force on students inspired by mentorship, balance, and community. I’m grateful to be a part of that tradition and look forward to sharing it with others.”

That lasting impact is precisely why Dr. Rogers, and 20 of his classmates established the scholarship. Two other 2011 alums, Amar Patel, PharmD and Tasmina Hydery, PharmD explain why they continue to pay it forward for ��ѿTV students.

Dr. Hydery who benefited from need and merit-based scholarships while pursuing her PharmD, recalls how the close-knit ��ѿTV community offered her many opportunities to get involved and work on campus.

“Giving back is very valuable,” Dr. Hydery said. “It’s something that I want to continue doing, because I see the impact on students and it just shows how important it is for us to all support each other.”

According to Dr. Patel, Dr. Ray created a community for them. With so many students from different backgrounds,religions and faiths, he fostered a sense of belonging for everyone.

“Dr. Ray made me feel like I could take on the biggest challenge and change it. The recognition that a scholarship like this does for a student…they’re recognized by so many successful leaders,” he said.

When they asked Dr. Ray how they could honor him, he suggested that whatever they create, they build something that helps students in perpetuity.
“It’s just a lesson that Dr. Ray taught me. I grew up with the philosophy of being good, just to be good. You don’tnecessarily need recognition, and Dr. Ray really solidified the idea that being of service to others requires no rewards,” said Dr. Patel.

Lifting Others
When she arrived at ��ѿTV, Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer RPh, PharmD, BCPS, ‘87, was a young woman from Laurens, New York, a small village outside Oneonta, New York, who had big dreams but was unsure how, or if, she would be able to achieve them.

Prior to beginning her term as President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the largest association of pharmacy professionals in the United States, she stated, “I am an example of endless possibilities. I graduated from high school with 28 people in my class. And yet here I am, I’m going to be the president of the largest pharmacy organization in the country.”

Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer recently completed her term as President of ASHP and will continue her service in 2026 as Immediate Past President.
But it was early in her career when she decided it was important to her to give back to students with similar origins. She wanted other students to have the same or better opportunities to achieve their goals.

“My life has been so full because of what started at ��ѿTV. Pharmacy has given me a great career, amazing friends, and opportunities that I never thought possible. I have been fortunate enough to serve our profession at the local, state and national levels and am incredibly proud of the accomplishments that have resulted from those collaborations,” reflected Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer. “I would hate to think that someone else would miss out on those kinds of opportunities because they couldn’t afford to attend college without some financial help, so the decision to create a scholarship was easy.�� I assumed that I would set something up during my estate planning to be developed after my death. It was my husband, Kevin, who asked the question – why wait?�� Let’s do it now.”

With her husband’s encouragement and with the support of ��ѿTV’ Institutional Advancement team, she started the Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer ’87 Scholarship in 2014. It is designed to support students with similar backgrounds who hail from several rural New York regions including Delaware, Broome, Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie counties. Additionally, she designated that student recipients should not be eligible for a federal Pell Grant, and their expected family contribution should be less than the cost of attendance.

Shania Camardello ’23, PharmD, is one of the recipients of this scholarship. A native of Newport, New York, outside of Utica, Dr. Camardello’s high school graduating class had just 30 students.

“The financial piece was definitely significant and very helpful,” Camardello shared. “But I feel like what I gained in meeting Leigh and learning about her experiences and path gave me all the support I needed. She is in every area of pharmacy and has a ton of experience, and has always told me ‘Anything you need, I got you.’”

After graduation, Dr. Camardello started her career at Hannaford. She worked as a pharmacist floater and serviced stores from Rome to Albany, New York. After getting her feet firmly on the ground, she moved to a staff pharmacist role at Hannaford in Rotterdam, New York.
Dr. Camarello credits Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer with instilling confidence in her that she may not have held before.

“I feel like I was one in my shell, and then talking with her helped me become more confident in myself,” she said.

Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer who serves as Senior Vice President, Pharmacy Services for CPS Solutions, LLC, in Dublin, Ohio, recently received the ��ѿTV Distinguished Alumni Award at a recognition dinner as part of Reunion 2025 Weekend. The award is given to ��ѿTV alumni with a lifetime of career accomplishments and volunteer service to the community or health care field who support the College and its mission to educate the next generation of leaders to improve the health of our society.

“What a blessing it has been to take an active part in the scholarship process. I have loved meeting students like Shania and seeing them grow as they progress through the pharmacy program,” Dr. Briscoe-Dwyer said. “Knowing that I had a tiny part in her success is something money can’t buy. I encourage anyone who is even thinking about setting up a scholarship to do so; it comes back to you a thousand times.”

Dr. Camardello is forever grateful for the support. She just bought her first home in Princetown, New York, with her fiancé, Matthew Harrington ’23, a fellow ��ѿTV alum and pharmacist.

A Springboard to Med School

In 1951, Bruce Stewart, BSP, MD was contemplating what he wanted to do in life. He felt a strong pull toward medicine and a friend of his encouraged him to talk with Francis O’Brien ‘20, then the dean of Albany College of Pharmacy. The Schenectady-native was told that it was common for students wishing to attend medical school to pursue pharmacy first.

Stewart met with Dean O’Brien and picked his brain for some time. He explains that he had poor grades, except for science. When the dean asked him why he was there, Dr. Stewart said to become a doctor, and the dean said, ‘that’s not what we do here.’ At the time, pharmacy required a four-year academic degree. Dr. Stewart ultimately decided to start with pharmacy to see where it took him; he enrolled at ACP and graduated in 1955.

Following graduation, he entered medical school to pursue orthopedic surgery. He had a successful practice in Ithaca, New York, for many years. His achievements played a big role in his decision to establish the Dr. Bruce Stewart ’55 Endowed Scholarship Fund at ��ѿTV a few years ago. He designed the fund for a pharmacy student in financial need, who is in their third or fourth professional year and has serious intent to pursue a degree in medicine, either an MD or a DO.

One of the scholarship recipients, David Martin ’25, of Babylon, New York, earned a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at ��ѿTV and is currently a first-year medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Elmira, New York. Martin is working through the Navy Health Professions Scholarship program, which covers the cost of his education for four years, after which he will serve in the Navy for four additional years.
“The scholarship seemed almost like a match made in heaven because, you know, he ( Dr. Bruce Stewart ’55) had his own experience, in the pharmaceutical realm, then onto medicine and the armed forces, which is something that I always kind of had as part of my plan,” Martin explained.
Martin and Dr. Stewart would check in on occasion throughout Martin’s time at ��ѿTV. Martin felt like it was a collaborative relationship where he could share what he was thinking, and Stewart would offer his feedback.

“I was always so grateful that this money came through, or else I could not have gone to the school I was at,” Martin said. “I think it’s kind of cool that there’s an individual that you have developed this relationship with. You know, being in residence life for three years of college and working with the admissions office, you come to know, community and relationships is kind of the name of the game.”

Dr. Stewart says he has great loyalty to ��ѿTV because it allowed him to achieve his goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. He spent his career as an orthopedic surgeon in Ithaca, NY, and the 92-year-old retiree now lives in Frostproof, Florida, with his wife, Barbara.

“I developed this scholarship with gratitude for the College, which helped me launch a successful medical career,” Dr. Stewart said. ‘I’ve done very well and wanted to share with others.”

What would Martin say to Dr. Stewart if he had the chance now?

“He’s just such a cool guy. And I’m really glad to have gotten to know him at least a little bit over the years. And if I go to Florida, I’ll probably give him a call and say, hey, I’m in town, where are you?” said Martin.

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Tofade joined ��ѿTV in July 2022, becoming the College’s 10th president. Under her leadership, the College launched a forward-thinking strategic plan with a powerful vision. She oversaw the introduction of the College’s first-ever online portfolio, the largest expansion of academic programs since its inception, and championed a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration across campus. She led the negotiation and co-creation of the merger with Russell Sage, which will preserve the ��ѿTV legacy for years to come and create the region’s premier healthcare-forward comprehensive university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

President Tofade’s collaborative efforts with faculty, staff, and students have resulted in significant, lasting and measurable successes at ��ѿTV.

• Academic Innovation & Enrollment: Embarked on the largest expansion of programs in the history of the College. Launched several new academic programs in the school of Health Sciences, contributing to a 19% increase in applications and a 210% year-over-year increase in PharmD deposits. Increased yield in 2025.
• Institutional Advancement: Achieved university status, secured a full eight-year Pharmacy accreditation, and maintained a 100% licensure rate for Health Science programs. Received the Carnegie designation of Research Institution.
• Strategic Merger & Advocacy: Led the process that resulted in Board of Trustee approval and subsequent co-creation of the upcoming merger with Russell Sage College. Successfully advocated at state and federal levels for regulatory changes in Merger & Acquisition processes and student-centric legislative reforms.
• Financial Stewardship: Improved the College’s financial health by significantly paying down debt. LSIB is fully occupied, and the CBET/LSIB operations are in a surplus.
• Operational Excellence: Ensured continued growth for The Collaboratory and CBET, while fostering an entrepreneurial culture and a more robust campus environment.
• People and Culture: Expanded opportunities for feedback and connectivity with multiple constituents, including alumni.
• Local and Global leadership: Chosen by former Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to lead the community process of identifying clinical services for the clinically designated facilities at the West Hill community center. Launched a multidisciplinary annual leadership program for the College and received improved culture ratings, according to Energage. Expanded international partnerships to six continents.

President Tofade explained that as the merger with Russell Sage proceeds as planned and on the right track, she felt it was the right time to conclude her term.

“I am optimistic about the promising future ahead and look forward to completing the first phase of the merger transaction on June 1. Transitions of this kind are common during mergers, and I remain committed to supporting a successful transition as President Emeritus, effective July 1, 2026. I’m very grateful for the collaboration and hard work of the many individuals and transition team leaders who have worked diligently to get us to this milestone,” she said.

“President Tofade has brought ��ѿTV through a historic chapter,” said ��ѿTV Board of Trustees Chair Walter S. Borisenok. “The strategic plan she created with our community helped propel the college forward toward this shared vision for a healthcare-forward comprehensive university that continues our legacy in pharmacy, the health sciences, and research. The ��ѿTV Board of Trustees is extremely grateful for her leadership and service.”

As outlined in the transaction agreement approved by both boards of trustees in July 2025, Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel will serve as president of the fully merged institution, which, pending regulatory approvals, will be called Russell Sage University. From July 1 this year until the final approval of the merger, Shaftel, along with Russell Sage Provost Theresa Hand, will lead both institutions in an interim capacity, in partnership with both colleges’ leadership teams.

“We could not have arrived at this point in the merger without the leadership and vision of President Tofade, who co-created the plans for Russell Sage University, soon-to-be the region’s premier healthcare-forward comprehensive university, which will continue the legacy, identity, and transformative work of ��ѿTV,” said Russell Sage College President Matthew Shaftel. “We have logged so many hours together working through the details and have discovered the synergies and shared values between our two historic colleges with national reputations for empowering social mobility and providing an unmatched return on investment. President Tofade has built a strong leadership team, and I look forward to working with them, the trustees, and our Russell Sage leaders as we move toward the combined university.”

In President Tofade’s announcements to ��ѿTV students, faculty, staff and alumni this morning, she expressed heartfelt appreciation for the College’s tight-knit community spirit, “It has been my honor to serve you as the 10th president of ��ѿTV, and I will miss the ��ѿTV community. I am profoundly grateful to our students, my dedicated leadership team and the entire ��ѿTV community, higher education colleagues, Capital Region leaders and friends for the collaborations that have brought us to this moment. As we prepare to welcome a new era, I look forward to connecting with you all over the coming months to celebrate our students, their achievements, and the vital work we do together. I appreciate everything you continue to do for ��ѿTV, and I wish you every blessing.”

Learn more about her tenure of excellence from 2022 to 2026.

The post President Tofade Concludes her Distinguished Term at ��ѿTV, as the College Reaches a Milestone in the Merger with Russell Sage College�� appeared first on ��ѿTV.

last Thursday that France-based One Biosciences has chosen Albany as its first U.S. location. It will be located in LSIB at 150 New Scotland Avenue, which also houses CBET and other biotech businesses.

“Life science research and development is vital to creating the treatments that help people heal, survive and live longer,”��Governor Hochul said.��“Through our targeted efforts, we are working to ensure that cutting edge companies like One Biosciences not only grow here, but that the next generation of medical breakthroughs happen in New York State.”

One Biosciences will bring its proprietary technology to this first-of-its-kind hub in Albany to address the unmet clinical and scientific needs to characterize the tumor ecosystem. The company is developing technology to better understand each patient’s cancer, helping doctors around the world to match patients to the therapies most likely to help them.

“This initiative would not have been achievable without support from partners such as RPI, UAlbany, and HVCC,” said CBET Executive Director, Michelle Lewis. “It plays a key role in attracting businesses like One Biosciences.”

The event featured poster presentations, keynote discussions and a reception welcoming our new neighbors.

Stories about the new partner were covered in the , , and on . (May require subscriptions to view)

from the event.

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The ceremony��honors are bestowed upon graduate and professional pharmacy students who distinguish themselves by their academic, professional and leadership achievements.

Both incoming and current chapter officers attended in support of the new inductees as well as RhoChi and Phi Lambda faculty advisors, Associate Professors, Alexandra Watson ’14, PharmD, BCACP, and Jacqueline Cleary, PharmD, BCACP, and Associate Professors, Nick O’Donnell, PharmD, MSc, and Yi Zhou, PharmD, BCPS, respectively.

Assistant Dean for Academics in the School of Pharmacy, Matthew Yacobucci, PharmD, BCOP, welcomed honorees and their guests, followed by keynote speaker, St. Peter’s Health Partners’ Clinical Pharmacist and alumna, Kara Candee ’19, PharmD, BCACP. School of Pharmacy Dean Elena Umland, PharmD, FNAP, provided closing remarks.

��RhoChi Academic Honor Society

The mission of Rho Chi, the Academic Honor Society in pharmacy, is to encourage and recognize excellence in intellectual achievement, and to advocate critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy. The following ��ѿTV students were inducted into the society:

• Alexandra Boguslavskiy
• Kathryn Braun
• Klyanna Ediong
• Madison Gagne
• Katelyn Marcoux
• William Muzzy
• Eric-Matthew Ng
• Karin Nimri
• Cheron Reid
• Mckayla Roberts
• Angelina Saouma
• Angelina Scardino
• Sopheary Te
• Reyna Woo

Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) Academic Honor Society

PLS is a national pharmacy leadership society dedicated to the recognition of contributions that our pharmacy students make to the College, the community, and the health care profession. The following students were inducted into the society:

Class of 2026

• Daniel Le
• Saralyne Mesidor

Class of 2027

• Lia DiCarlo
• Mary Francis
• Oluwanifesimi Kasali
• Karissa Kendall
• Jack Moniot
• Nashaly Morales
• Nina Rouse
• Jenee Russell
• Jenna Schwab
• Marcus Salvi
• Claudia Smythe
• Lauren Trackey
• Jenny Weng

Class of 2028

• Kathryn Braun
• Tasnim Chowdhury
• Tani Kealoha
• Katelyn Marcoux
• Jonathan T. Santosh
• Kayleigh Simpson
• Sara Solomon
• Reyna Woo

Class of 2029

• Kelly Nhan
• Trang Van

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