Class of 2027 PharmD student spearheads BSPS to PharmD course

In December 2024, Nicole Kwiek, PhD, senior associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation and clinical professor, and Leslie Newman, PhD, assistant dean for undergraduate studies and assistant professor of practice, approached Class of 2027 PharmD student Ashley Swisshelm about the need for a course that would discuss the transition from the BSPS program to the PharmD program. 

The course, developed and taught by Swisshelm, came to fruition and was integrated as an undergraduate course titled "Surviving to Thriving: Your Prescription for Pharmacy School Success." This class would allow pre-pharmacy students to learn from a current PharmD student who has directly experienced this transition.

Topics such as time management/study skills, financial planning, promotion of mental health and professional/career development were discussed to aid in the students' navigation of the curriculum. 

"This role has helped me grow as a student, aspiring educator and mentor to the students I was fortunate to teach," Swisshelm said. "I look forward to the evolution of this course as new students make it their own next year."