At its annual leadership banquet on April 6, the Albany College of Pharmacy Student Government Association awarded 18 students, faculty, staff members and organizations for their leadership on campus. Awards were selected by the SGA executive board and the Office of Student Engagement and Wellness.
The student honorees for 2022-23 are:
- Student Commitment Award: Rachel Leffler, P3 (fifth year) student in the pharmacy doctorate program. This award acknowledges a student who has proven to be deeply devoted to their leadership role(s). The student is recognized for their continuous involvement and is often seen as the face of their cause/club/organization.
- Student Professionalism Award: Charles Middleton, P3 (fifth year) student in the pharmacy doctorate program. The student professionalism award is presented to a student who has a strong professional presence on campus. This student is recognized by their peers as polite, well-spoken, and respectful. Faculty and staff have also recognized this student for their exemplary character and academic promise.
- Emerging Leader Award: Scott Wood, sophomore. The Emerging Leader award is open to first- and second-year students. It is presented to a student who has shown leadership promise through their involvement in extra/co-curricular activities and contributions to the student experience but does not necessarily have to hold a formal office in any group.
- Most Involved Student Award: Ellis Simerly, P3 (fifth year) student in the pharmacy doctorate program. The Most Involved Student award recognizes a student who publicly shows involvement in many ACPHS clubs, organizations, and events. This student participates in many opportunities that ACPHS offers including research, resident assistant, campus programming and SGA.
- Leaving a Legacy Award: Erica Scholl, fifth-year M.S. student (graduating in May). This award recognizes and acknowledges a student who, through their actions at ACPHS, has left a lasting impact that will continue even after they graduate. This individual has worked tirelessly for not only their own personal gain, but for the betterment of the campus as a whole.
- Unsung Hero Award (Student): John Fattal, P3 (fifth-year) student in the pharmacy doctorate program. This person displays one or more of the following traits: courage, compassion, empathy and selflessness. This dedicated community member goes out of their way to put in their time and provide help with a positive attitude without seeking any form of recognition.
- B.S. Senior Recognition Award: Melanie Vugelman. This award is given to a graduating bachelor’s student who has given time, effort and energy to improving the overall experience of their class and has made a positive impact on the campus community as a whole.
- P3 Senior Recognition Award: Faith Peckham, P3 (fifth year) student in the pharmacy doctorate program. This award is given to a P3 student who has stood out as someone who has given a lot of time, effort and energy to improving the overall experience of their class and has made a positive impact on the campus community.
The faculty and staff honorees for 2022-23 are:
- Administrator of the Year Award: Dr. Darren Grabe, associate professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. This award recognizes a member of the staff or administration who leaves a long-term impact on the students and also makes significant contributions to furthering the college’s mission to educate future healthcare professionals. This individual exemplifies hard work and improves the morale of the people around them.
- Faculty of the Year Award: Dr. Jayachandran Pradeepa, assistant professor, Basic and Clinical Sciences. This award recognizes the efforts of an exemplary faculty advisor who embodies the core advising values of ACPHS (accountability, integrity, diversity and responsibility), advances the strategic goals of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and upholds good practice as outlined in the ACPHS Advising Standards. Through their work, the faculty advisor highlights the ongoing, intentional and collaborative process of advising. They have demonstrated a track record of success in engaging their advisees and fostering student progress toward academic and career goals.
- Club Advisor of the Year: Daniel Smith, instructor, Population Health Sciences, and advisor for The Lighthouse. This award is granted to an advisor who has exceeded expectations in assisting their respective club. This advisor is integral to the success of the club while not overstepping their role. They are a role model, providing outstanding support and contributing to the growth and development of the club as a whole, as well as individual students members.
- Professional Organization Advisor of the Year: Jane Boyd, instructor, Pharmacy Practice, and advisor for APhA-ASP. This award is granted to an advisor who has exceeded expectations in assisting their respective professional organization. Advisors considered for this award offer continuous support for the organization, attend most of the events hosted by the organization, are knowledgeable and engaged in the organization’s mission, promotes new ideas without overstepping their role and act as precepting pharmacists, if applicable.
- Unsung Hero Award (Faculty): Patty Tompkins, events manager. This person displays one or more of the following traits: courage, compassion, empathy and selflessness. This dedicated community member goes out of their way to put in their time and provide help with a positive attitude without seeking any form of recognition.
- Teacher of the Year Award: Dr. Nicole Shakerley, assistant professor, Basic and Clinical Sciences. This award is given to a faculty member nominated by students and chosen by the SGA Senate. Through a discussion of blinded qualitative comments provided by students, the SGA Senate votes on the recipient after considering the overall qualities of this professor.
- SGA President’s Award: Anmol (Andy) Marwaha, training supervisor, UHA Public Safety. This award is left to the discretion of the SGA President. See story.
The club and organization honorees for 2022-23 are:
- Club of the Year: Another Creative Perspective. This award recognizes a club’s commitment and contributions to the campus community through outstanding programs, leadership on campus, and dedication to the values of ACPHS and SGA. This award recognizes a club that has demonstrated consistent adaptability, initiative, creativity and perseverance through their activities and programs.
- Professional Organization of the Year: Phi Delta Chi. This award recognizes a club’s commitment and contributions to the campus community through outstanding programs, leadership on campus, and dedication to the values of ACPHS and SGA. This professional organization has promoted excellence in the pharmacy or health science profession, demonstrated extraordinary community service, engaged in collaborative programming and implemented new programs that benefit the student body.
- Event of the Year: Multicultural Club’s Oktoberfest. The Event of the Year Award recognizes the excellent efforts by a student group on campus for the design and execution of a particular program or event. The committee considered the following criteria: contribution to the ACPHS community; creativity; event planning/promotion/implementation; and appeal to the student body.
Pictured above, left to right, are: Bottom row: Anmol Marwaha, Rachel Leffler, Dr. Darren Grabe, Daniel Smith. Middle row: Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs Anuja Ghorpade, Jane Boyd, Chuck Middleton, Dylan Knapp, Ellis Simerly, Zhenzi Hong, Melanie Vugelman, President Toyin Tofade. Top Row: Scott Wood, Nicole Shakerley, Faith Peckham, Erica Scholl, John Fattal, Shloka Sahetya.
About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is a private, independent college dedicated to educating the next generation of leaders to improve the health of society. ACPHS offers 17 undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs including online Master of Biomedical Sciences and Master of Biotechnology programs. Students have myriad opportunities to extend what they are learning in the classroom at The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET), at student-supported pharmacies in underserved communities, and at The Collaboratory, a public health resource designed to alleviate community health disparities in Albany’s South End neighborhood. ACPHS ranks #1 in New York State for best return on investment by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce and was graded an A+ for value by Niche.
