The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) was founded in 1972 on the campus of Florida A & M University, when Sharon Roquemore (now Sharon Lovick Edwards) and John J. Scrivens organized that first meeting. In addition to the students from Florida A & M University, students from Howard University, Texas Southern University, Xavier University and other schools were in attendance. The meeting participants numbered about one hundred.

Our many years of success are in part due to the outstanding leadership the association has had over the years. Mr. Clinton C. Cunningham was the first Executive Secretary; serving from 1972-1974. Mr. Ralph Arline (deceased) succeeded him from 1974-1979. It was in 1979 that SNPhA gained its first female leader, named Heidi Anderson (Currently Dr. Heidi Anderson-Harper). For ten Years, she provided impeccable leadership bringing SNPhA into a new era. Continuing in Heidi's footsteps, Dr. Marisa Smith (currently Dr. Marisa Lewis) took the helm in 1989 as Executive Director, and continues in that capacity today.

Over the years, SNPhA has been blessed with several Assistant Executive Directors, who included Dr. Terri Smith-Moore, Dr. Monica Lahoz, and Dr. Patricia Lieveld. Dr. Julie Smith is the current Assistant Executive Director, serving since 1995.
 

The UAMS College of Pharmacy Chapter was founded in 1995. William Danage presided as the first chapter president. The present advisors of the UAMS SNPhA chapter are Otis Tyler, M.S., Assistant Dean of Diversity and Dr. Crystal Henderson, Assistant Professor.