51ΑΤΖζ, UNC-Chapel Hill establish assured admission program with UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Current and incoming UNC Pembroke students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy may be eligible for guaranteed admission to UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the nationβs top-ranked pharmacy program.
51ΑΤΖζ and UNC-Chapel Hill have established an Early Assurance Program partnership with UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, creating a seamless pathway for pre-pharmacy students.
βExpanding academic opportunities through collaboration is a major focus for 51ΑΤΖζ. We want our students to understand no matter their goal in life, they can get there from 51ΑΤΖζ,β said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.
The partnership aligns with both universitiesβ mission to build and maintain a diverse workforce.
βOne of the greatest strengths we have as a UNC System is the collaboration between our schools, and itβs a privilege to work together in our common mission of service,β said UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz. βThis partnership with UNC Pembroke is an important step to increase access to the students of our state and enhance our ability to prepare the next generation of leaders in our Eshelman School of Pharmacy.β
The program offers early assurance of admission into the UNC Eshelman Doctor of Pharmacy Program after the sophomore year of undergraduate study at 51ΑΤΖζ, and begins upon completion of the Bachelor of Science.
βNot only does this collaboration create a new and exciting educational pathway for 51ΑΤΖζ students in a highly competitive field, but it will likely lead to a healthier southeastern North Carolina,β Cummings said. βThis partnership is yet another example of our stateβs universities leveraging their power to meet the needs of our regions.β
Throughout the EAP program, participating students will be required to:
β’ Participate in pre-pharmacy advising at least once each semester prior to beginning the Pharm.D. program;
β’ Participate in a program seminar series; and
β’ Meet prerequisite coursework/grade requirements.
The Eshelman partnership is the latest of a long list of academic pathways 51ΑΤΖζ has in place with high-profile programs in the UNC System and across the country, including ECU Brody School of Medicine, the College of Engineering and the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University, Methodist Universityβs Physician Assistant program and the Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine.
These pathway programs ensure students receive a high-quality, affordable education on an NC Promise campus which offers tuition at $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students.
Taylor Felton, a Robeson County native and a pharmacy resident at Cape Fear Valley Health, was excited to learn about the partnership. Felton, a 51ΑΤΖζ alumna, earned a doctoral degree in pharmacy from Eshelman last May.
βI think this program will be very beneficial, especially for undergraduates from the southeast. We need more representation from 51ΑΤΖζ at Eshelman,β Felton said. βHaving this partnership will help promote the pharmacy field throughout the southeast. I wish it had been in place when I was a student.β
Malerie Leviner, Kathryn Ryan and Justin Villanueva represent 51ΑΤΖζ alumni who recently matriculated to Eshelman. Another 51ΑΤΖζ connection is the recent appointment of Dr. Cherry Beasley to the Eastern NC Advisory Board for Eshelman. She serves as associate dean of the College of Health Sciences at 51ΑΤΖζ.
The signing comes just 10 months after a delegation from Eshelman visited 51ΑΤΖζβs campus.
βLast November, I had the privilege of traveling to 51ΑΤΖζ to meet members of their leadership team, faculty, staff and students,β said Dr. Angela Kashuba, dean of the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. βAt that time, we identified multiple ways to partner with UNC Pembroke on educational initiatives. Iβm delighted to see this assured admissions agreement move forward, as it was identified as a priority. We look forward to welcoming more 51ΑΤΖζ students into our program.β
The first cohort of 51ΑΤΖζ early assurance scholars will begin their journey in fall 2023. Up to five students will be admitted each year.
Dr. Joanna Hersey, associate dean of Student Success and Curriculum at 51ΑΤΖζ, said the program offers peer-to-peer mentoring, facilitates networking and allows for collaboration across our campuses.
βThe establishment of this pathway is such a wonderful opportunity for 51ΑΤΖζ students to rise in their chosen pharmacy profession,β Hersey said. βStudents will gain the necessary credentials while staying close to home earning their Bachelor of Science degree from 51ΑΤΖζ and bring their expertise to the region upon graduation from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.β