Brian Erstad Announced as Interim Dean of R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy

Starting July 1, 2025, Brian Erstad, PharmD, will serve as the interim dean of the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. 

Erstad received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Arizona in 1987 and joined the College of Pharmacy faculty in 1988 following completion of a residency at the local academic medical center. He went on to lead the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science for more than a decade, serving in that role until 2024. Throughout his career, Erstad has held many leadership roles, most notably as president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, serving on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.

“I am grateful to Provost Prelock for the opportunity to serve as interim dean. It's an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility,” said Erstad. “I'm humbled to work alongside our outstanding faculty and staff as we continue to deliver academic excellence for our students and the college. As we approach the completion of the accreditation process, I look forward to accomplishing such an important milestone together.”

Erstad has earned national and international distinction for his work in pharmacy education, clinical practice, and health outcomes research. In recognition of his career-long impact, he has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in 2025. 

As a PharmD, Erstad offers extensive expertise in clinical training and clinical pharmacy advancement. In this interim role, he seeks to extend the College’s duration of accreditation and continue to foster excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service by faculty.

In addition to his academic contributions, Erstad is a respected and celebrated faculty member, colleague, and mentor. Dedicating over 30 years to educating the next generation of pharmacists led him to receive the Robert K. Chalmers Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award from the American Association of College of Pharmacy in 2021.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Brian Erstad as interim dean of the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy,” said University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Patricia Prelock. “Dr. Erstad brings an extraordinary legacy of academic excellence, national leadership, and unwavering commitment to pharmacy education. His deep institutional knowledge and dedication to student success position him perfectly to lead the college during this important transition. I am confident that under his guidance, the college will continue to thrive and advance its mission of excellence in teaching, research, and service.”

The national search for the next permanent dean will begin in the fall. Information from the Office of the Provost regarding the search will be forthcoming.