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Academic Leadership Fellows Program

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Note: Applications for Cohort 23 are opening April 2026 and are due by May 17, 2026.

The Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) goal is to develop and support leaders in the Academy that contribute to the advancement of pharmacy education, higher education, and the pharmacy profession. The program provides an opportunity for Fellows to expand networking relationships with peers and colleagues in other institutions, as well as within their own college and university. The ALFP curriculum is reviewed annually to ensure content is contemporary and appropriate to the programs leadership objectives.

ALFP Digital Album

ALFP 20th Anniversary Yearbook

ALFP Learning Objectives:

Develop leadership skills through the process of self-discovery and reflection.
Cultivate a network of colleagues for support and mentorship.
Apply leadership concepts and theories within academic pharmacy.
Enhance leadership and management skills to build an executive presence.
Create a leadership philosophy that can guide your leadership journey.

ALFP Informational Video (click to view)

Applicant Criteria:

An experienced faculty (typically at associate or full professor rank) or staff member who has demonstrated leadership at the college/university level and through national leadership and engagement. They are ready to explore advanced leadership concepts to take on new leadership challenges as their career advances.
The cohort is limited to 35 fellows
Applications are evaluated on (1) demonstration of leadership and need for further development (2) Depth and breadth of academic and professional experience (3) strong letter of intent - including plans for application of material to local context or career plan (4) strong letter of support from dean - including leadership potential of the candidate and a solid local mentoring plan (see Evaluation Rubric at bottom of this page)

Completed applications must include the following three documents:

Nominee's letter of intent for completing the program (limit 2 pages)
Current curriculum vitae
Letter of recommendation from the Dean Mentor (limit of two pages). The letter should address the three points provided below:
1. Describe the nominee's competencies/talents and potential for leadership.
2. Why the nominee should be an Academic Leadership Fellow.
3. The mentoring plan developed with the nominee. (Submissions are encouraged to include a chart with a tentative meeting schedule and topics).

The year-long program includes three in-person sessions supplemented with periodic virtual sessions:

In-depth leadership development
Team-building and networking
Exploration of issues critical to pharmacy and higher education
Self assessment of leadership style and strengths
Exposure to practical management and administrative issues and tips for success
Access to national and international leaders in pharmacy and higher education
Team project and presentation concerning current issues in academic pharmacy
Individualized plan for additional mentoring, development, and application of knowledge learned implemented at home institution
All sessions are interactive and application based!

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Session I: Leadership and Self: Discovery and Teamwork

The objective of this session is for Fellows to look within and focus on the self-discovery of leadership strengths and weaknesses; understand leadership theories and frameworks; apply soft skill development, develop a leadership philosophy, and maximize personal strengths to develop effective teams. Fellows practice effective team building in a camp-like atmosphere and develop strong bonds with other cohort members to build a leadership network and strong community for support and growth.

Session II: Leadership Skills and Frameworks

The second session involves further leadership skills building on self-discovery of leadership skills from Session 1. In this session, soft skills will continue to be developed and practical leadership frameworks will be applied including four frames for academic leadership, change management, and conflict management. Case-based application of skills will be emphasized and situated in real-life challenges facing academic pharmacy leaders.

Session III: Current Topics and Refining Leadership and Graduation

This session includes an emphasis on current topics in leadership within the Academy and refining and pulling together all lessons of the program in this final session. Fellows and their local deans participate in a graduation ceremony to celebrate a successful year. Then Fellows attend the AACP Annual meeting programming and present a poster and/or presentation showcasing their team project for the year.

2026-27 ALFP Cohort 23 Calendar

Fellows must complete all requirements and attend all sessions (in-person and virtual) to complete the program.

Session I: September 14-18, 2026 in Warrenton, VA
Session II: January 13-15, 2027 in Location TBD
Session III: July 9-13, 2027 in conjunction with AACP Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario Canada
Note: More details on travel information and logistics will be provided once accepted into the program.

Virtual programming will occur live and online. These sessions represent an important portion of the ALFP curriculum. All fellows need to arrange your schedule so you can attend all of these sessions as well to complete the program.

Leadership Lab – October 15, 2026 from 3-4:30 PM ET
Half-Day Session – November 5, 2026 from 1-4 PM ET
Leadership Lab – December 10, 2026 from 3-4:30 PM ET
Half-Day Session – February 25, 2027 from 1-4 PM ET
Leadership Lab – April 1, 2027 from 3-4:30 PM ET
Leadership Lab – May 6, 2027 from 3-4:30 PM ET

Fee for ALFP Program

The fee for the Academic Leadership Fellows Program is $8000 for the year-long program. The program fee includes program tuition, curriculum, speakers, some meals, a team-building "ropes course", Gallup Clifton Strengths exercises, Crucial Conversations curriculum and certificate, and registration for the AACP Annual Meeting. Travel, lodging and most meal costs are the responsibility of the Fellow and/or college or school. Prior to the start of the program, AACP will email the Fellow their registration invoice in June with full payment requested by mid-July prior to the Annual Meeting.