Julie Akers named dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Julie Akers, interim dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed dean, effective Sept. 1.

Akers, who is also a scholarly career-track professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy, previously served as executive associate dean for the college before assuming the interim dean role. Her appointment follows a comprehensive internal review and a series of meetings with external stakeholders.

"I am excited to have Julie continue leading the College on its upward trajectory," said Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman." Julie is a thoughtful and engaged leader whose extensive experience in both academia and industry is a tremendous asset to Washington State University. Her deep understanding of the skills students need to succeed beyond the classroom will help ensure the continued strength of our pharmacy programs for years to come."

Akers earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Washington State University in 2000 and has been a licensed pharmacist for 26 years. Throughout her career, she has gained significant leadership experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, including serving as director of retail pharmacies for The Everett Clinic, district manager for Bartell Drugs, and a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry.

During her tenure as interim dean, Akers empowered her leadership team to implement a new enrollment campaign that resulted in a 56% increase in applications to WSU's pharmacy programs for fall 2026. She also oversaw the establishment of six new rural health pharmacy residencies and two new psychiatric pharmacy residencies during the past academic year.

The college has continued to achieve strong student and career outcomes under her leadership. In 2026, 95% of PharmD graduates were employed or had accepted employment offers by graduation. Class of 2026 students also achieved a 96% residency and fellowship match rate, while the Class of 2025 posted a 92.5% first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), significantly higher than the national average of 86.8%.

These results have elevated the college's standing among peer institutions. Based on this year's first-time NAPLEX pass rate outcomes, WSU ranks No. 1 among pharmacy schools in the Pacific Northwest and No. 3 among public pharmacy schools on the West Coast.

"It is an incredible honor to lead the college that helped shape my own career," said Akers. "I am deeply passionate about preparing the next generation of pharmacists, scientists and healthcare professionals to serve their communities with expertise, compassion, and integrity. We have an important responsibility to advocate for our students and the future of the pharmacy profession while ensuring pharmacists have a meaningful voice in the healthcare system. By expanding opportunities for pharmacy education and supporting pharmacists in practicing at the full scope of their training, we can make high-quality care more accessible and help strengthen the health and well-being of communities across Washington and beyond."

As dean, Akers will lead the development of a strategic plan and vision for the college, creating a roadmap for continued growth and success. A key priority will be expanding Doctor of Pharmacy enrollment to help address Washington state's growing shortage of pharmacists and ensure a strong pipeline of pharmacy professionals to meet the state's healthcare needs.