For Immediate Release 

Contact:

Krista Fuentes,

Development & Grants Manager

(571) 404-0471

fuentes@afpepharm.org

Aspiring Academics Fund Awards 2026 Scholarship

to Future Pharmacy Educator

Fairfax, VA - The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Aspiring Academics program is designed to inform and inspire students who are interested in pursuing an academic pharmacy career. The AACP’s Aspiring Academics program aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of career paths in academic pharmacy, through asynchronous learning modules, mentorship, networking, a group project, involvement with AACP, and attendance at the AACP Annual Meeting and Teachers’ Seminar.



In 2026, AACP Past President Dr. Cynthia Boyle and her husband, Dr. Raymond Love, established the Aspiring Academics Fund to support the next generation of pharmacy educators. The Fund provides a scholarship award for one student to participate in the Aspiring Academics program, including attendance at the AACP Annual Meeting and Teachers’ Seminar.

Dr. Boyle, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and a respected leader in pharmacy education, has dedicated her distinguished career to developing future pharmacy educators, advancing experiential learning, mentoring students and faculty, and strengthening the academic pharmacy profession through leadership and service. Together with Dr. Love, Professor Emeritus and a nationally recognized pioneer in psychiatric pharmacy, they created the Fund to reflect their shared belief that exceptional educators are essential to advancing patient care, scientific discovery, and the future of the profession.

“My husband Ray Love and I are delighted to support the Aspiring Academics Fund. Much like the AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program for existing faculty and school personnel, this fund provides a structured experiential opportunity in which students can meaningfully explore what a potential academic career involves. Recipient Nori Zaccheo is already quite accomplished, but she valued extending her professional network and creating a community of potential colleagues in fun, engaging activities. We hope others will give as they are able to support these motivated students,” said Dr. Boyle.

Nori Zaccheo, M.S., is a PharmD candidate in the Class of 2027 at the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and an emerging leader in academic pharmacy. Zaccheo earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry and forensic science from Syracuse University before pursuing pharmacy and has distinguished herself through excellence in research, teaching, leadership, and service.

Zaccheo is actively involved in national pharmacy organizations, including AACP, APhA, ASHP, and SNPhA, and was selected to receive funding for the AACP Aspiring Academics program, reflecting her commitment to a future career in pharmacy education.

“Receiving the Boyle-Love Scholarship was an incredible honor, an opportunity, and a reminder of the impact that investing in students can have. It meant far more than financial support; it was an investment in my future. Attending the AACP Annual Meeting with the scholarship support gave me opportunities to grow as a future educator, connect with mentors and peers from across the country, and gain experiences that will shape my career for years to come. Because of this scholarship, I was able to learn from fellow educators, build meaningful connections, and further strengthen my passion for academic pharmacy. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Cynthia Boyle and Dr. Raymond Love for their generosity and belief in me and in the next generation of pharmacy educators,” said Zaccheo.

The Aspiring Academics Fund reflects Dr. Cynthia Boyle and Dr. Raymond Love's enduring commitment to strengthening the future of pharmacy education by investing in emerging educators. Through their generosity, the Fund provides students with opportunities to explore academic careers, build meaningful professional networks, and develop the skills needed to educate the next generation of pharmacists. As the program continues to grow, the Fund will help ensure that talented students have access to experiences that inspire careers in academic pharmacy.

About AFPE

The American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) advances pharmaceutical science by investing in future researchers through scholarships, fellowships, and research funding. Since its founding, AFPE has helped launch the careers of thousands of scientists, educators, and innovators whose work has improved health outcomes worldwide. Through the generous support of donors, foundations, corporations, alumni, and friends, AFPE continues to strengthen the pipeline of pharmaceutical researchers and pharmacy faculty across the United States.

American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education     11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 360A-105 • Fairfax, VA 22030 • www.afpepharm.org