L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy and Health Professions Dean Announced

After an extensive national search, and following careful consideration of feedback from faculty and staff, an offer was extended to and accepted by Tom Wadsworth, PharmD, BCPS, MSOL, to become the dean of the new L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy and Health Professions (COPHP).

“I’m very pleased that Dr. Wadsworth has accepted the permanent role of dean for the College of Pharmacy and Health Professions,” said Rex Force, vice president of health sciences and senior vice provost. “His steady, transparent and thoughtful leadership style was evident throughout the search process. I’m confident that, working with our outstanding staff and faculty, he’ll continue to move the new college forward in a way that supports our students and programs. I’d also like to thank the search committee for their work through this process. They did an outstanding job of vetting candidates and bringing a strong slate to campus.”

The appointment comes as the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy, with more than a century of history educating pharmacists, enters a new era as the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy and Health Professions. This new college brings together established programs in pharmacy, physician assistant studies, dental hygiene, emergency services, medical laboratory science, medical imaging, nutrition and dietetics, community and public health, and other health disciplines around a common mission: improving health through education, research, clinical practice and service.

“Modern healthcare is a team endeavor. Pharmacists, physician assistants, paramedics, dental hygienists, laboratory scientists, imaging professionals, dietitians, public health professionals and researchers each bring something essential to the care of patients and communities. When those professions work together, we can change lives,” said Wadsworth. “It is an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as the inaugural dean of this College and help build something that will serve our students, our professions and our communities for generations.”

Wadsworth earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Idaho State University in 2002 and worked as a clinical pharmacist before returning to the University as an assistant clinical professor in 2007. Since coming back to ISU, he has served in multiple faculty and leadership positions, such as assistant dean for Alaska programs, executive associate dean, interim dean and dean of the College of Pharmacy. In the spring of 2025, Wadsworth completed a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Eastern Washington University. 

Throughout his tenure, Wadsworth has been an instrumental part of starting and facilitating the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy Program, which is now celebrating its 10 year anniversary. As an individual with deep ties to both Idaho and Alaska, he has spent much of his professional career serving patients and communities across the two states. 

“Idaho is home, and Alaska became home to me in a different but equally important way. I love these places and the people who live here. To have the opportunity to lead a College whose purpose is to serve them is deeply meaningful to me,” said Wadsworth.

Alongside growing programs spanning multiple campuses, Wadsworth recently guided ISU Pharmacy faculty and staff through major transitions as the College’s laboratories and office spaces underwent massive renovations funded through the largest singular donation the University has ever received. During his time as College of Pharmacy Dean, he raised over $3.5 million for endowments and student scholarships. 

Wadsworth will formally start the role on October 11.