Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Agree to Pursue Strategic Merger

The Timeframe Academic Programs
4,000 students expected to enroll on-campus in Albany and Troy, and online
3rd-largest private institution for higher education in the Capital Region
2 Top Colleges Nationally recognized for social mobility and return on investment

The Leader in Health Professions in the Capital Region

Creating one of the region’s largest private institutions for higher education with the broadest catalog of programs in the health professions and strong programs in education, business, criminal justice, the sciences, pre-med, pre-health, and arts and humanities, Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) plan to merge.

$246 million in
combined assets

The merger will result in a unified institution with combined assets of approximately $246 million, including $115 million in endowment investments, based on current figures.

We will keep our communities updated on merger developments. This page will serve as a primary resource. Please note that this information is subject to change dependent upon regulatory processes and other factors.

The Combined Institution

The combined institution, to be known as Russell Sage, will enroll an anticipated 4,000 students on campuses in Albany and Troy, New York, as well as online, making it the third-largest private institution for higher education in the Capital Region. The merger unites two colleges nationally recognized for social mobility and return on investment, creating a dynamic engine for workforce development that will transform students, their families, and communities.

Estimated Completion
Fall 2027

A memorandum of understanding, approved by both institutions’ boards of trustees, calls for a merger upon approval by regulatory bodies, with an estimated completion date of fall 2027.

Development of a
Strategic Plan

In the meantime, while remaining independent, the colleges will work collaboratively to prepare for their merger. Over the next few years, Russell Sage and ACPHS will form plans to combine their academic portfolios and create a facilities and people strategy.

Intends to Seek
University Status

Independent from the merger process, Russell Sage College intends to seek regulatory approvals to be called Russell Sage University.

Announcing an
Exciting New Chapter

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences President Toyin Tofade and Russell Sage College President Matthew Shaftel discuss the agreement to pursue a merger.

The Merger

Pre-step

From signed MOU until July 2025

  • Negotiate and approve an expanded and more detailed version of the Memorandum of Understanding called the Definitive Agreement, which will be a binding agreement to set the merger process in motion.

Phase 0

July 2025-June 2026

  • Both institutions continue to operate independently.
  • Transition teams will be assembled to address certain functions.
  • Can build articulation agreements around new programs.
  • Can deepen existing partnerships (such as housing or other services).
  • Compensation studies will be commissioned.
  • Will consider the planned merger in undertaking new contracts

Phase 1

July 2026-fall 2027

(depending on Department of Education process)
  • Colleges complete first stage of merger (change in corporate ownership) on or before June 10, 2026.
  • ACPHS and Russell Sage continue operating as separately licensed, accredited, degree-granting institutions.
  • Separate boards of trustees continue to govern each institution.
  • Plans to merge operations are finalized.
  • Leadership works with faculty to rewrite the faculty handbook for the merged institution. Plans for consolidated academic structures and the shared governance process are developed.
  • Plans are created to merge operations.
  • Will begin campus planning and space study to determine footprint and best use of all facilities in Albany and Troy.
  • Russell Sage and ACPHS build on the sharing of services, such as vendor services or dining facilities. 
  • A plan is formed to create continuity in visual branding for the ACPHS and Russell Sage Albany campus.

Phase 2

Fall 2027 and beyond

(depending on Department of Education approval process)
  • With approval of regulators, Russell Sage and ACPHS complete merger and combine institutions.
  • Beginning in fall 2027, Russell Sage, including the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Russell Sage, welcomes students to the fully consolidated, comprehensive institution with nearly 4,000 students at the Albany and Troy campuses and online.
  • The consolidated institution is governed by a new 25-member board with trustees nominated from both ACPHS and Russell Sage boards.
  • All students gain access to a broader span of academic offerings, student services, and athletic and cultural opportunities.
  • Institution leverages enhanced donor opportunities for strategic investments to positively impact students and the Capital Region more broadly.

Fast Facts

Location

RSC Albany Campus Kahl Student Center
Kahl Student Center, Russell Sage College Albany Campus
Russell Sage College Two campuses:
Historic downtown Troy, New York, and 140 New Scotland Avenue Albany, New York
Sage Hall, Russell Sage College Troy Campus
Sage Hall, Russell Sage College Troy Campus
Francis O'Brien Building, Albany College of Pharmacy
Francis O’Brien Building, Albany College of Pharmacy
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 106 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York
ACPHS Student making a Heart symbol with his hands
Neighbors in Albany
Combined Map of Russell Sage College Campus and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
(Click to view map)

Total enrollment

(as of fall 2024)

2,790 Russell Sage College
856 Albany College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences

Founding Year

Russell Sage History Buchman Hall Troy
1916 Russell Sage College
ACPHS 1880's - Original Eagle Street Building
1881 Albany College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences

Employees

(not including federal work study jobs)

RSC Nursing students and faculty
379 Russell Sage College
272 Albany College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences
(as of 3/5/25)

Academic Programs

Russell Sage College
27 Undergraduate
32 Master’s,
Post-master’s
4 Doctoral
Top 25 among national universities for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report for six straight years
PTK Transfer Honor Roll Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has named Russell Sage College to its Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the dynamic pathways the college has created to support transfer students for five years in a row
More About Russell Sage
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
11 Undergraduate
9 Master’s
1 Doctoral
No. 1 in New York state and No. 5 in the nation for return on investment (ROI) by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce
A+ for value by
Niche.com
1 of only 4 higher education institutions committed to research in the Capital Region, as designated by the Carnegie Foundation
More About ACPHS

History

Russell Sage College

Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, Founder of Russell Sage College
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage
Founder of Russell Sage College

Russell Sage College was founded in 1916 as a women’s college in Troy, New York, by Philanthropist Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, who named the institution after her late husband. In 1949, Russell Sage opened a coeducational Albany division to serve the large number of veterans returning from World War II, state government workers, and others seeking an education related to workplace needs, and offered associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in an evening schedule.

“Be. Know. Do.”

The Albany campus held various names throughout the years, until 2020, when the two campuses were consolidated under the Russell Sage College identity offering co-educational bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in both locations.

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

When it was founded in 1881, the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (then known as Albany College of Pharmacy) was one of only 14 colleges of pharmacy in the United States.

In 2008, the college rebranded as the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to better reflect its growing scope of programs.

“Engage. Learn. Lead. Serve.”

The college maintains the Collaboratory in Albany’s South End, which provides space for the college to partner with community organizations on a range of social and health care services for local residents. Also, the college owns The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training, and student-run community pharmacies.

Academics

Undergraduate

Explore the wide range of programs offered by both Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to undergraduate majors in the health career fields.

Undergraduate Programs in Health Sciences

Russell Sage College - Be Know Do

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Accelerated BS in Nursing
Accelerated B.S. in Nursing at Russell Sage College

Biology
B.S. Biology at Russell Sage College
B.S. Biology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Biomedical Technology

B.S. Biomedical Technology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Clinical Laboratory Sciences

B.S. Clinical Laboratory Sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Forensic Psychology
B.S. Psychology at Russell Sage College
B.S. Forensic Psychology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Forensic Science

B.S. Forensic Science at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Health Sciences
B.S. Health Sciences at Russell Sage College
B.S. Health Sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Microbiology

B.S. Microbiology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Nursing
B.S. Nursing at Russell Sage College
B.S. Nursing at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Nutrition Science
B.S. Nutrition Science at Russell Sage College

Pharmaceutical Sciences

B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Psychology
B.S. Psychology at Russell Sage College
B.S. Psychology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Public Health

B.S. Public Health at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Speech-Language Pathology
B.S. Speech-Language Pathology at Russell Sage College

Health Sciences at Russell SAge College Health Sciences at ACPHS

Graduate

Explore the wide range of programs offered by both Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to graduate majors in the health career fields.

Graduate Programs in Health Sciences

Russell Sage College - Be Know Do

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (CERT)
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (CERT) at Russell Sage College

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (CERT)
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (CERT) at Russell Sage College

Applied Nutrition (Online)
M.S. Applied Nutrition at Russell Sage College

Biomedical Sciences

M.S. Biomedical Sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Biomedical Sciences (Online)

M.S. Biomedical Sciences Online at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Scienceschology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Biotechnology

M.S. Biotechnology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Biotechnology (Hybrid)

M.S. Biotechnology Hybrid at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Clinical Laboratory Sciences

M.S. Psychology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Community Psychology
M.S. Community Psychology at Russell Sage College

Cytotechnology & Molecular Cytology

M.S. Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Dietetic Internship
Dietetic Internship at Russell Sage College

Family Nurse Practitioner (CERT)
Family Nurse Practicioner CERT at Russell Sage College

Forensic Mental Health (CERT, MS)
M.S. Forensic Mental Health at Russell Sage College

Health Data Science

M.S. Health Data Science at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Health Services Administration
M.S. Health Services Administration at Russell Sage College

Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology (In-person, Online)
M.A. Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology at Russell Sage College

Molecular Biosciences

M.S. Molecular Biosciences at Russell Sage College

Nursing (MS, DNP, Hybrid)
M.S., DNP, Hybrid Nursing at Russell Sage College

Nutrition & Dietetics
M.S. Nutrition and Dietetics at Russell Sage College

Occupational Therapy (OTD, MSOT – In person and Hybrid)
M.S. Occupational Therapy Master’s at Russell Sage College

Pharmaceutical Sciences

M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Pharm D

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Physical Therapy (DPT)
DPT Physical Therapy at Russell Sage College

  • Art Education
  • Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism
  • Childhood Education
  • Childhood and Early Childhood Education (B-6)
  • Childhood and Early Childhood Education with 7-9 Extension (B-9)
  • Childhood Education/Early Childhood Education/Special Education (B-6 and All Grades Special Education)
  • Educational Leadership
  • Instructional Leadership Advanced Certificate Programs (SBL/SDL)
  • Foreign Language/Childhood Education
  • Literacy Specialist
  • Physical Education
  • Professional School Counseling
  • School District Business Leader (SDBL) (CERT)
  • School Health Education
  • Special Education
  • Sport Science Master’s: Coaching & Mental Performance
School of Education at Russell SAge College
  • Business Administration
  • Flex MBA
  • Health Services
  • Organizational Studies
  • Sport & Recreation Management
School of Management At Russell SAge College
  • Academic Exploration
  • Art + Extended Media
  • Criminal Justice, Law & Behavioral Science
  • English, Writing & Culture
  • English/Childhood Education
  • Expressive Arts in Mental Health 
  • Graphic + Media Design 
  • History
  • History/Childhood Education
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Interior + Spatial Design
  • Musical Theatre
  • Physical Education
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Theatre
School of Arts & Sciences at Russell SAge College

Leadership

Presidents

Toyin Tofade, MS, PharmD, BCPS, CPCC, FFIP
ACPHS President

Toyin Tofade became the 10th president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on July 1, 2022, and was the first Black woman to be appointed president in the ACPHS history. Before leading ACPHS, she served as the dean and full professor at the Howard University College of Pharmacy in Washington, D.C., and had multiple leadership roles at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) in Baltimore including Assistant Dean for experiential services. She served as a pharmacist and a clinical specialist in the general medicine service at University of North Carolina (UNC) hospitals, assistant professor and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as director of pharmacotherapy services at the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

President Tofade received a bachelor’s in pharmacy (BPharm) from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, a master’s in pharmacy practice and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from UNC at Chapel Hill and a certificate in public leadership from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

More about President Tofade
Toyin Tofade, MS, PharmD, BCPS, CPCC, FFIP

Matthew Shaftel, Ph.D.
Russell Sage College President

Matthew Shaftel began his tenure as the 11th president of Russell Sage College on July 1, 2024. Before coming to Russell Sage, Shaftel served for seven years as dean and full professor in Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts. He has served as a higher education leader for nearly two decades, also as an associate vice president at Florida State University and dean and executive of the Princeton campus at Rider University.

Shaftel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Master of Philosophy in Music Theory, and Ph.D. in Music Theory from Yale University.

More about President Shaftel

Board Leadership

Walter S. Borisenok, LHD
ACPHS Board of Trustees Chair

Walt Borisenok has decades of experience in starting, growing, and managing a global business as retired founder and CEO of Fortitech Inc., a producer of human nutritional products used in the food, pharmaceutical, and life sciences Industries. He is a graduate of SUNY at Plattsburgh in microbiology, and in 2021, was awarded Doctor of Humane Letters by the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

More about ACPHS Board of Trustees Chair

Caroline Leavitt DeCota
Russell Sage College Board of Trustees Chair

Caroline Leavitt DeCota is a 1984 graduate of Russell Sage College and retired as vice president, Managed Markets, at the global medical technology and pharmaceutical  business, Smith & Nephew, where she managed its Medicare Part D program. She held positions at the American Pharmacists Association and at the National Community Pharmacists Association before moving on to manage an independent pharmacy buying group and later serving as director of PBM Operations for a national HMO.

During her extensive career in healthcare, Leavitt DeCota also worked for Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Managed Markets contracting and Sales Training. In addition to her degree from Russell Sage, she holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Golden Gate University.

More about RSC Board of Trustees

FAQs

General

Note: Some of this information may change during this process as the two institutions work through the details that will be included in the Definitive Agreement.

As both institutions looked at their strategic plans, it became clear that the synergies in academic portfolio, location, missions, and commitment to engaged, holistic, and personalized educational experiences were strong. 

By combining the rich legacies and strong reputations of Russell Sage and ACPHS and their engaged alumni networks, the merged entity will empower students, strengthen communities, and be positioned as both the leading institution for health-focused education and a premier comprehensive college experience with a range of academic offerings. The merged institution will be unlike any other institution in the region and will supply the workforce with graduates in fields with the most critical areas of need, including healthcare, medical research, and education.

While remaining independent, the colleges will work collaboratively to prepare for their merger, including how best to combine facilities, personnel, and programs. 

The merger also requires numerous approvals from the boards of trustees of each institution, the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the U.S. Department of Education, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and other accreditors, lenders, and others. The exact timeline for approvals is unknown, but we anticipate the new institution will launch in fall 2027.

Changes to the U.S. Department of Education under the current administration are evolving. We are closely monitoring the situation as we move through this process. How it may impact the merger at this time is unclear.

ACPHS and Russell Sage’s Albany campus are located side-by-side, and so this is an ideal partnership in terms of physical proximity, too. We will spend this planning period looking at how to best combine and maximize use of the facilities at both campuses.

No. Russell Sage College is fully committed to maintaining a vibrant presence in both Albany and Troy. The Troy campus — home to many of our signature programs, like education, and a central part of our history and identity — will remain an active and integral part of the new institution.

In Albany, Russell Sage and ACPHS have adjacent campuses, and the merger presents a unique opportunity to bring those spaces together in a more unified and efficient way. As part of this process, we will undertake a comprehensive campus master planning effort to thoughtfully determine how best to align facilities in Albany and how to maximize the experience and access to the Troy campus for all students in the merged institution.

Until the merger, presidents for both colleges remain in place and each board of trustees will continue oversight of their individual colleges. When the merger takes effect, a 25-member board will commence, with 13 members coming from Russell Sage and 12 coming from ACPHS. The president of Russell Sage College will serve as president of the new institution. The president of ACPHS will continue in a leadership capacity (such as chancellor) as determined by the Board of Trustees.

One of the goals of Russell Sage’s 2019 strategic plan was to change the college’s charter to become a university and apply to the necessary regulatory bodies for university status. The change would highlight that Russell Sage is a comprehensive institution with a breadth of programs at the bachelor, master, post-master, and doctoral levels. Russell Sage intends to seek regulatory approvals to be named Russell Sage University.

One of the benefits of merging two institutions is to eliminate or reduce operational overhead. We see great opportunities to reduce expenses through vendor contract renegotiation, shared services, procurement consolidation, and the elimination of duplicate services. This new institution will provide an enhanced comprehensive educational experience for students. For example, combining the Albany campuses allows both institutions to optimize facilities to the advantage of students, investing resources where they most make sense.

Until the merger, both institutions will maintain their separate endowments. After the merger, the ACPHS endowment will remain devoted to ACPHS programs and mission. Donor-restricted funds will continue to hold those restrictions in accordance with donor intents.

The merged entity will preserve the “Carnegie Research College and University” classification achieved by ACPHS, and intends to take the required steps to secure the infrastructure needed to maintain the research environment for the Carnegie Research College and University designation.

Students and Families

Yes. All students will have the opportunity to complete their degree programs at their respective colleges prior to the merger and at the combined institution after the merger. After this merger is final and approved by all regulatory bodies, it will expand opportunities for students.

It is the intention to merge all existing programs into the new institution’s academic catalog.

After the merger – again estimated for fall 2027– students would have the opportunity to earn roster spots on the 22 Russell Sage NCAA Division III athletic teams through the usual competitive tryout or recruiting process. All student-athletes will have opportunities in some form, with the possible addition of Junior Varsity programs, club sports, and intramurals.

Use of athletic facilities will remain largely the same in the short term, with the potential to negotiate more cooperative agreements while a long-term, post-merger facilities plan is created.

Because of its strong identity within NCAA Division III athletics, the mascot will be the Gator. The ACPHS Panther will be integrated into the new institution, much like Russell Sage has always had four mascots that rotate by class year, including the Blue Angels, Red Devils, Purple Cows, and Golden Horseshoes.

Student clubs and organizations are driven by students, and the merger between ACPHS and Russell Sage College will open up new opportunities for all students.

Russell Sage and ACPHS will continue to operate independently while they work through the details of the merger, which means continuing their separate tuition calculations. Currently, Russell Sage and ACPHS have similar tuition rates for undergraduates. Graduate tuition varies by program and in accordance with the market.

Although many details of the merger are still to be worked out, there is a joint commitment to access and affordability. Russell Sage has been ranked a top 25 national university for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report for six straight years. ACPHS has been named No. 1 in New York state and #5 in the nation for return on investment (ROI) by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

Financial aid awards, including merit scholarships from each college, will be honored until the student graduates. As in any circumstance, federal and state aid can always vary based on student income and federal and state guidelines.

Facility use is part of the planning process. In the meantime, there may be additional opportunities to maximize housing through agreements between both institutions, expanding options for students.

If students complete their program prior to the merger’s conclusion, the name on their diploma would reflect their current institution – either Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Russell Sage College. Degrees issued by the merged entity will bear the name of Russell Sage with the college or school within Russell Sage noted, as appropriate and consistent with accreditation requirements (e.g. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Russell Sage).

Employees

In the lead-up to the merger, both institutions will continue to operate independently, with opportunities to deepen existing partnerships. We know that our strength lies in our people, and we will seek to retain as many employees as needed to maintain our high standards.

While some decisions about staffing, compensation, and benefits are still being developed, these conversations are underway and will continue to be shaped with care and transparency. We will share updates as more details become available.

Russell Sage is already planning to grow its workforce to support continued expansion, and we know that the merged institution will require a talented and dedicated team. Similarly, ACPHS has deeply specialized programs and research areas that rely on the expertise of its faculty and staff — those strengths will be essential to our future together.

Between the operational synergies we are seeking, as well as typical annual retirements or resignations, we believe that the impact on our workforce will be minimal.

It is the intention to merge all existing programs at Russell Sage and ACPHS into the new institution’s academic catalog.

We anticipate that all tenured and tenure-track faculty of Russell Sage and ACPHS at the time of the merger will maintain their faculty status. Tenured faculty will continue as tenured faculty at their then-current tenured level (e.g., associate professor, full professor). Faculty on the tenure track will maintain their years of progress and their “tenure clock” will not be impacted, accelerated, or delayed. 

Non-tenured faculty will remain non-tenured upon the merger. Existing years of service will be honored on those contracts that are retained within the merged entity. Prior to the merger, the academic leadership from ACPHS and Russell Sage will work with faculty to develop a revised faculty handbook for the merged entity, including the faculty governance structure.

Leading up to the merger, both institutions will continue to operate mostly independently and make independent decisions about employee benefits. Details, such as what employee compensation and benefits will look like after the merger, are still being worked out as part of the process. An employee handbook will be developed for the merged entity.

Alumni and Donors

RSC and ACPHS are committed to honoring donor intents before and after the merger. 

Scholarships and endowed funds will be carried out according to the terms outlined in the gift agreements. They are not impacted by the merger.

Yes. Philanthropy is critical to all colleges’ ability to provide student scholarships and support college operations. This is an exciting time to invest in our institutions. 

The Russell Sage Alumnae/i Association will continue.

The Opalka Gallery will continue to operate on Russell Sage’s Albany campus.

Those will continue to operate as usual.

Explore more resources

View News Release Visit Russell Sage college Visit ACPHS