Brenda L. Gleason, B.S. ’97, Pharm.D. ’98, serves as the interim dean of St. Louis College of Pharmacy, in addition to her roles as the University’s chief academic officer and a professor of pharmacy practice.

A nationally recognized leader in pharmacy education, Gleason has dedicated more than 25 years to helping shape the future of pharmacy education and advancing academic excellence, curricular innovation, accreditation and student success.

A proud alumna of St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Gleason earned both her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the institution before completing an ASHP-accredited primary care pharmacy residency at the John Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center. Since joining the St. Louis College of Pharmacy faculty in 1998, she has served in numerous administrative leadership positions, including associate dean for academic affairs, executive associate dean, assistant vice president for academic relations, vice president for program development and strategic initiatives, and her current title of chief academic officer. 

Gleason is widely respected for her expertise in ability-based education, curriculum design, program assessment and accreditation. Her contributions have extended well beyond the institution through leadership roles with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). She has served on AACP’s Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education Advisory Panel that developed nationally adopted educational outcomes for pharmacy graduates and contributed to the pharmacy academy’s original work on entrustable professional activities (EPAs), helping shape competency expectations for new pharmacists across the United States.

Her professional leadership has included service as a site evaluator for the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, delivered invited presentations nationally and internationally, and co-authored the textbook Contemporary Drug Information: An Evidence-Based Approach.  

As interim dean, Gleason is committed to advancing the college’s tradition of excellence while preparing future pharmacists to lead in an increasingly complex health care environment through innovation, collaboration, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to student success.