Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President James J. Gozzo to Step Down in June 2014

ALBANY, NY--(Marketwired - Apr 29, 2013) -  Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President James J. Gozzo announced today that he will be stepping down as president of the College effective June 30, 2014.

"This was a most difficult decision, but I have confidence that it is the right one, both for me and my family. It was made knowing that the College is in a strong position -- both academically and fiscally -- and I have no doubt that the faculty, staff, and administrators in place will ensure that ACPHS continues to be the great institution that it is," said President Gozzo. "I expect to remain fully active during the next year as we collectively work towards the full implementation of our strategic plan."

"During the past 15 years, Jim has led ACPHS through a period of unprecedented growth, executing a vision for the institution that few thought was achievable. From the expansion of academic programs to the growth of the physical campus to the development of a burgeoning research program, Jim has transformed the College into a modern, forward looking institution. For those reasons and more, the Board was saddened to learn of his decision," said Herbert Chorbajian, Chair of the ACPHS Board of Trustees. "We will soon begin a national search for his replacement."

Dr. Gozzo was hired as the seventh president of the College on July 1, 1998, and currently ranks as the longest serving President among colleges and universities in the Capital Region. Below are some of the College's many achievements during his tenure as President:

• Added five bachelor's programs and five graduate programs around the school's core Doctor of Pharmacy program.

• Expanded the Albany Campus from one building to eight buildings and from two acres to more than 25 acres. New buildings and enhancements on the Albany Campus included the construction of a Student Center in 2006 (the College's first newly constructed building in 80 years), an $11 million library expansion, the development of three residence halls, acquisition of the former Bender Laboratories building for academic research, and the fall 2012 opening of a new athletics field and track.

• Opened a satellite campus in Colchester, Vermont in fall 2009. The campus is now home to nearly 270 students and remains the only pharmacy program in the state. It will graduate its first class of students on May 19, 2013.

• Increased enrollment from less than 600 students in 1998 to more than 1,700 students today.

• Established the Pharmaceutical Research Institute (PRI) in 2003 and subsequent addition of the Center for Nanopharmaceuticals (made possible through a $2 million grant from New York State).

• Initiated community service programs such as the ACPHS Academy (a mentoring program to engage elementary schoolchildren in the sciences and math) and the Summer High School Enrichment Program (a program that provides local high school students with hands-on research opportunities and exposure to career options in pharmacy and related scientific fields).

• Launched the College's first-ever Capital Campaign in 1999 with a goal of raising $10 million (the campaign closed in October 2006 after raising $18 million). The College is currently in the midst of a $50 million Capital Campaign.

• Grew the College's endowment from $8 million to more than $20 million.

About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private, independent institution committed to graduating the best health care minds in the world. In addition to its doctor of pharmacy program, ACPHS offers five bachelor's programs and five graduate programs in the health sciences. The College's main campus is located in Albany, New York; its satellite campus is in Colchester, Vermont. For more information, please visit www.acphs.edu.