View the New Student Welcome Day Flickr album.

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) welcomed members of its Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Class of 2030 to Pharmacy Hall on June 4 for New Student Welcome Day, an event designed to introduce incoming students to the School, connect them with faculty and classmates, and prepare them for the journey ahead.

Throughout the day, students heard from School leaders and faculty members, learned about academic and student support resources, were fitted for their professional white coats, and toured campus as they prepare to begin classes in August. The incoming cohort includes approximately 99 students.

In opening remarks, Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of pharmaceutical sciences, congratulated students on earning admission to the School and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities that await them.

“One of our goals is to help you explore the profession, discover new possibilities, and find the path that is right for you,” Michel told the incoming class. “The next four years will be challenging. They will also open doors you may not even know exist today.”

Michel also highlighted the School’s new M-Pact curriculum, a competency-based PharmD curriculum launching this fall that will prepare students for the evolving role of pharmacists in health care.

For many students, Welcome Day marked the culmination of months of anticipation and the beginning of lifelong professional relationships.

Kamiya Plummer said that she chose UMSOP because of the strong connections she felt with the community.

“I really like the faculty and the students and immediately had a really good connection with them,” she said.

Incoming student Bisola Adeoye was drawn to the School’s opportunities to explore innovation and industry-focused career pathways.

“One of the reasons I chose the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy was the Pharmapreneurship program,” Adeoye said. “It’s a great opportunity for students who are interested in developing a business later to be paired with mentors.”

Adeoye also expressed enthusiasm for the School’s industry fellowship opportunities, which provide students with early exposure to a variety of career paths within pharmacy.

Building community was a recurring theme throughout the day.

Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS, associate professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research (P-SHOR) and associate dean for recruitment, admissions, and integration, encouraged students to begin building connections with their classmates from the very start of their pharmacy school journey.

“These are not strangers,” Sera said as she asked students to look around the room. “These are your classmates, your future roommates, your future wedding guests, your future professional colleagues.”

Mojdeh Heavner, PharmD, professor of P-SHOR and assistant dean for experiential learning, reminded students that the relationships and experiences they build during pharmacy school can have a lasting impact on their personal and professional journeys.

“You will form deep connections with your classmates through this shared experience,” she said. “Be prepared to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity, because the effort you invest now will help position you for success long after graduation.”

The day concluded with campus tours and opportunities to connect with classmates and faculty.

“We are glad you’re here,” Michel said. “You were admitted to our PharmD program because we believe you will succeed here. We believe in your potential, and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals.”