AACP has announced the next 36 aspiring leaders to participate in its prestigious Academic Leadership Fellows Program, supporting and contributing to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education. Beyond leadership education, the program provides an opportunity for Fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues across the Academy, as well as within their own college and university. "Congratulations to the 36 outstanding individuals selected for this year's Academic Leadership Fellows Program. Your selection reflects not only your accomplishments to date, but also your potential to shape the future of pharmacy education and the profession,” said Lee Vermeulen, BSPharm, MS, FCCP, FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO of AACP. “Through this program, you will strengthen your leadership skills, build lasting relationships with colleagues across the Academy, and prepare to lead meaningful change within your institutions and beyond. We look forward to seeing the impact each of you will make as you help advance pharmacy education, higher education, and the future of our profession." Fellows will begin the year-long program in September 2026. Consisting of at least three in-person meetings, the program provides resources in conjunction with the experiential activities designed by the dean mentor at the home school or college. Critical topics addressing how to lead change, manage conflict, determine leadership styles and more will be covered during the four sessions. New features for this cohort include frequent online “Leadership Labs” and virtual half-day sessions, reinforcing learning and connection throughout the program year.
Meet the latest cohort of Fellows from institutions across the U.S.
Terrick Andey
Professor Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences MCPHS University
Adenike Atanda
Associate Professor Assistant Dean for Assessment and Accreditation University of North Texas Health Science Center
Rhys Axon
Professor Division Chair University of Cincinnati
Jessica Burchette
Associate Professor
East Tennessee State University
Susan Conway
Professor Director of Experiential and Interprofessional Education
The University of Oklahoma
Melissa (Lisa) Dinkins
Professor Assistant Dean, Faculty Affairs
Wingate University
Deepali Dixit
Clinical Professor Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Kimberly Elder
Associate Professor Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment
Sullivan University
Earl Ettienne
Associate Professor Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs & Industrial Partnerships
Howard University
Tanya Fabian
Associate Professor Director of Pharmacy University of Pittsburgh
Sarah Gordon
Associate Professor Associate Dean of Pharmacy Affairs Manchester University
Brooke Griffin
Professor Vice Chair Pharmacy Practice
Midwestern University
Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy
Associate Professor Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs The University of Arizona
Kirk Hevener
Associate Professor The University of Tennessee
Corey Hopkins
Professor Chair University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kristin Janzen
Clinical Associate Professor Division Head The University of Texas at Austin
Medha Joshi
Professor and Chair Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Chair Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Midwestern University
Daniel Kerner
Clinical Associate Professor Department Chair Chicago State University
Young Lee
Clinical Professor Interim Chair The University of Texas at Tyler
Megan Leeds
Professor Director of Curricular Innovation Lipscomb University
Sarah Lynch
Clinical Associate Professor Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Binghamton University-SUNY
Whitney Maxwell
Clinical Professor University of South Carolina
Jean Moon
Professor Associate Dean for Student Affairs University of Minnesota
Shantanu Rao
Associate Professor Director of Distance Learning Pathway
University of Findlay
Valerie Ruehter
Clinical Professor Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kyle Schmidt
Associate Professor Assistant Department Chair Ferris State University
Anne Schweighardt
Associate Professor Department Chair St. John Fisher College
Nicole Sifontis
Clinical Professor Interim Department Chair Temple University
Judith Smith
Professor Head Texas A&M University
Jodi Taylor
Clinical Associate Professor Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs University of Florida
Amy Thompson
Clinical Professor Director, Community Health and Engagement University of Michigan
Deepti Vyas
Professor
University of the Pacific
Lindsey Welch
Senior Public Service Associate Director of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences The University of Georgia
Amy Werremeyer
Professor Department Chair North Dakota State University
LaKeisha Williams
Clinical Professor Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Xavier University of Louisiana
Alyssa Wozniak
Clinical Assistant Professor Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs, Outreach, and Special Projects D'Youville University
Dean Facilitators
Julie Hixson-Wallace
Founding Dean, College of Pharmacy
Harding University
Donald G. Klepser
Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, College of Pharmacy Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science University of Nebraska Medical Center
Anne Y. Lin
Dean, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Professor St. John’s University
Peter W. Swaan
Dean, College of Pharmacy Professor University of Florida
David Weldon
Dean, School of Pharmacy Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences William Carey University