USciences Receives Funding for Pharmacy for Student Diversity Mentorship Program

Editor's note: This article was written prior to University of the Sciences' merger with and into Saint Joseph's University and does not reflect the current, combined institution. References to programs, offices, colleges, employees, etc., may be historical information.

USciences’ Philadelphia College of Pharmacy has received a $15,000 grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation (NACDS). This funding will be used to support RxOnward, a peer mentoring program developed to aid Black/African American and Hispanic/LatinX pre-pharmacy students at USciences.

The RxOnward program matches up to 15 Black/African American and/or Hispanic/LatinX pharmacy student-mentors with Black/African American and/or Hispanic/LatinX pre-pharmacy students. Mentors and mentees will participate in professional development programming to help them network with pharmacy professionals, and learn more about career planning and study skills.

“Data shows that students from racially or ethnically under-represented groups in a profession face challenges because they feel like they do not belong or consider themselves inadequately prepared to succeed in their field of study,” said Tyan Thomas, PharmD, associate professor of clinical pharmacy.

“Pairing student mentors with mentees from similar backgrounds will help students develop a supportive community of peers and will make them feel more comfortable taking advantage of the full academic experience,” she said.

The NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to support existing and prospective projects that have the potential to support and encourage educational opportunities in under-represented populations.