Dr. Serge Afeli

Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy professor Dr. Serge Afeli is the new president of the Urban League of the Upstate Guild and a new member of the Urban League of the Upstate Board of Directors.

Afeli, an associate professor of pharmacology and director of innovation and entrepreneurship at PCSP, has served in various leadership positions throughout his career and has been involved in numerous local community initiatives since moving to Greenville in 2014. His skills as a collaborator across disciplines, departments, institutions, and organizations have led to several partnerships with Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Harvard University School of Public Health.

“Dr. Afeli brings a passion for community service, advocacy, and innovation to the Guild,” said Dr. Wilson Awan, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of the Upstate.

Afeli has been a member of the Urban League of the Upstate for nearly two years. Since joining, he has served as advocacy chair for the Urban League of the Upstate Young Professionals to create awareness about COVID-19 vaccines, mental health issues, and hypertension.

“I joined the Urban League because I believe in the mission of this organization, which is to enable African Americans and other underserved urban residents to secure economic self-reliance, parity, and civil rights,” Afeli said. “As a first-generation college student from an underprivilege background, I want to help make a difference locally by using my healthcare and higher education background to serve the community.

“In many of the activities I championed I was fortunate to have several of our pharmacy students serve as volunteers because of our shared commitment to service.”