Assessment of the Academic Leadership Fellows Program on the First 20 Cohorts

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Academic Leadership Development
• Pharmacy Administration

Background:

• The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) established the Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) to address the need for leaders in higher education and health care.
• Between 2005 and 2024, 20 cohorts of fellows participated in the ALFP, highlighting its sustained commitment to leadership development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) on its participants.
• To evaluate the program's secondary effects on sponsoring institutions, the AACP, and the pharmacy profession.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to participants from Cohorts 1-19, with a modified version for Cohort 20.
• The survey included quantitative (multiple-choice) and qualitative (open-ended) questions assessing program impact, professional engagement, and demographics.
• Data analysis combined quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate program outcomes.

Main Results:

• Survey respondents reported significant positive impacts on leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes, with 94% experiencing increased leadership confidence.
• The program facilitated career advancement and retention, with 73% of participants remaining at their sponsoring institutions.
• ALFP participation led to increased leadership roles within the AACP and suggests broader engagement in professional organizations.

Conclusions:

• The Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) has successfully influenced the development of leaders in academic pharmacy.
• The program demonstrates significant positive impacts on individual participants, their institutions, and the broader pharmacy profession, including the AACP.