Serge Afeli, PhD, MSHA

About Dr. Afeli

I am a strategic academic leader, researcher, and innovator with a proven track-record of advancing academic excellence, research productivity, and community impact within health professions education.

Education

MS Health Administration (MSHA), University of Alabama at Birmingham, (2021)
Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sc. (Pharmacology), University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. (2013)
B.S., Physical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (2007)

Research or Areas of Specialty

My role as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs involves overseeing and ensuring the quality, integrity, and delivery of the academic programs. My responsibilities include some of the following:

• Strategic Academic Leadership: to develop and implement academic policies, goals, and strategies aligned with the mission of the school and the broader university. To lead curriculum development and review to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and relevance to contemporary pharmacy practice. To promote innovation in teaching methods, technology integration, and assessment strategies.
• Curriculum Oversight: To ensure the effective delivery of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program and other academic offerings (e.g., graduate or continuing education programs). To monitor and evaluate the curriculum for alignment with educational and professional standards such as those set by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). To coordinate interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives with other health professions programs.
• Operational Responsibilities: To oversee academic scheduling, course assignments, and faculty workload distribution. To work closely with department chairs and other administrative leaders to address academic challenges and opportunities. To address academic grievances and appeals from students and faculty.
• Healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship, and health equity globally. To foster entrepreneurial skills among students, advance pharmacological research, and champion healthcare equity initiatives in America and abroad, especially in Africa. In the last 10 years, I have worked with and mentored over 250 students and entrepreneurs to either launch new healthcare ventures or to address health disparities challenges. My academic repertoire includes several dozen scientific publications and presentations nationally and globally, reflecting a deep dive into pharmacology and drug resistance mechanisms, innovative healthcare solutions, and entrepreneurship. I enjoy collaborating across disciplines and working to empower students and problem solvers to tackle real-world health challenges.