Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy Selected for the 2026-2027 AACP Academic Leadership Fellowship Program
Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, JD, MPH, associate professor of practice and associate dean of faculty and academic affairs at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, was inducted as a fellow into the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP).
AACP is an association of 142 schools of pharmacy and individual members, including 6,400 faculty, 62,500 students enrolled in professional programs, and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study. Recognizing a special responsibility to provide leadership in advancing and enhancing the quality of education and training at its member institutions, AACP works in partnership with members and stakeholders to advance pharmacy education, research, scholarship, practice, and service to improve health for all.
Starting this month, ALFP begins its year-long program with only 36 fellows selected from faculty nationwide. Through in-person and virtual sessions, fellows will 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, and create a leadership philosophy that can guide their leadership journey.
“This is more of an administrative/leadership fellowship. I never in a million years envisioned when I graduated that I would one day work in an academic center and for the university where I am a proud alumna,” shared Hall-Lipsy. “But because I never considered academia, I wanted an opportunity to learn more about academic leadership and how to be an effective leader. I am so grateful to Brian Erstad for serving as my dean mentor and to the college for supporting me to participate in this program.” In 2008, Hall-Lipsy started as the rural health program coordinator, then became faculty in 2011, was appointed assistant dean of academic affairs and assessment in 2022 and then became associate dean of faculty and academic affairs in 2025.
Hall-Lipsy's leadership competencies are significant in scope, depth, and sustained impact. For more than a decade she lead the College’s Rural Health Professions Program, the Health Disparities Professional Certificate, and the PharmD Forward Programs, all of which directly influenced how future pharmacists understand inequities, community needs, and the responsibilities of health professions leadership. These are not isolated accomplishments. They reflect a sustained pattern of institutional investment and the ability to build programs that continue to grow in relevance and reach. Her work as assistant dean for academic affairs and assessment elevated curriculum oversight, strengthened accreditation processes, and built program evaluation systems that have improved the quality and coherence of our educational offerings across both campuses.
“We are proud to support Professor Hall-Lipsy as she begins the AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program,” shared the college’s new dean, Christopher Finch, PharmD. “Investing in leadership development is essential to the future of the College and profession. I feel confident she will represent our College exceptionally well while gaining valuable insights for the benefit of our students and faculty.”
Hall-Lipsy’s contributions have been recognized with honors such as the Theodore Tong Distinguished Leadership and Service Award, the Schnellmann Family Faculty Award, the Arizona Rural Health Association President’s Award, and most recently the Henry and Phyllis Koffler Prize for Excellence in Public Service / Outreach.