College: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake?
A: I chose to attend Drake because of the supportive culture that I noticed right when I stepped on campus. I could immediately tell how much the professors cared about their students and how much they wanted to help us grow. This made me want to be a part of that community, where everyone is uplifting you to reach your goals!
Q: What is your favorite campus memory?
A: My favorite campus memory is just living in the Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall with all my best friends throughout my entire sophomore year. We made so many memories all throughout Drake’s campus—from playing kickball in the courtyard, sand volleyball games, meeting up for lunch in Hubbell, and attending many Drake athletics—it was just a fun-filled year on Drake’s campus that I will never forget!
Q: How has Drake shaped who you are today?
A: All of my professors at Drake have continued to uplift me and encourage me to continue to strive for new goals. Because of these professors at Drake, I have worked as a research assistant for over four years, have completed unique pharmacy internships, and have learned how to be a leader in different organizations. These experiences, particularly my work in the Pharmacogenomic Research Lab at Drake, have shaped my career goal of becoming a clinical oncology pharmacist.
Q: What is next for you after you graduate?
A: I am committed to a pharmacy residency program at The Nebraska Medical Center. I will complete a one-year pharmacy residency program that focuses on clinical pharmacy in a large, academic medical center.
Q: Who have been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
A: One of the most important mentors to me is Dr. Pramod Mahajan. I began working with Dr. Mahajan as a research assistant during only my sophomore year at Drake. I then continued to do research with him throughout all four years of the PharmD program. This research focused on pharmacogenomic and cancer research. These experiences with Dr. Mahajan shaped my career goals and gave me a passion for the oncology field. He has continued to support me throughout all of my endeavors and I truly could not be where I am today without his support.
Q: Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
A: I joined the Drake women’s club soccer team right away during my freshman year. This experience allowed me to meet older students at Drake and connect with people I never would have met outside of this. Additionally, during my freshman year, I began volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. This was a great program where I learned about my passion for helping others. In pharmacy school, I then joined many professional organizations, including Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity, Student College of Clinical Pharmacy (SCCP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and Rho Chi Honors Society. In all of these pharmacy organizations, I held various leadership roles. The opportunity to serve as a leader in these organizations strengthened my communication and leadership skills. Additionally, these organizations allowed me to build relationships with many other pharmacy students, which are connections I will never forget.
Q: How has Drake helped you prepare for your future career?
A: Drake has truly set me up for a successful career. I was pushed to continue to grow throughout the PharmD program, which allowed me to be best prepared for my future. Whether this was professors encouraging me to try something new or classes that challenged me, I was able to develop many skills that were beneficial when looking for residency programs for next year. I believe these skills will continue to benefit me as I continue along in my pharmacy career.
Q: Based on your experience, what makes Drake special and sets it apart from other schools?
A: Based on my experience, Drake is special because of the connections you can form with others. The smaller community environment allows you to make real connections with your professors and other students. I have developed so many great relationships at Drake that have led me to where I am today. It truly was the community at Drake that made it so special to me.