Mentoring
Whether it's providing guidance about navigating life as a busy student, helping set career goals, or providing contacts for possible employment, mentors serve an important role in student development and success.
The UI College of Pharmacy offers five mentor programs.
Faculty Mentor Program
The Faculty Mentor Program assists professional development related to career counseling, professionalism, and academic success. The mentor provides guidance in understanding the pharmacy world, encourages participation in pharmacy activities, and instills independence and confidence. Students are assigned a faculty mentor during their first year of pharmacy school.
Professional Mentor Program
The Professional Mentor Program matches first-year PharmD students with a UI College of Pharmacy alumnus or friend who is an experienced pharmacist. Mentors help students explore careers, set goals, develop contacts, and identify resources. The pairs are encouraged to communicate throughout the mentee’s educational journey, and beyond.
Complete our survey if you’re an alumni or friend wishing to mentor.
Research Mentors
In addition to the required curriculum covering research design and literature interpretation, students may engage in research with faculty members. Students apply (generally in the P1 year) to gain hands on experience with basic and translational sciences, clinical sciences, or health services research through independent study. They may also have the opportunity to share their research via presentations, posters, and publications.
Peer Mentors
Students are assigned upper-class students as peer mentors to help navigate pharmacy school. Peer mentors and mentees are often assigned with students in their PODS group.
Preceptor Mentors
For each practice-based experience (APPEs and IPPEs), students are assigned a preceptor who can serve as a mentor for students.
Mentors of Your Own Choosing
Students are encouraged to find their own mentors through networking at many college and professional organization events.
Advising
The purpose of academic advising in the UI College of Pharmacy is to:
- Create a welcoming, inclusive, accessible environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns.
- Provide students with clear, accurate, and timely information about what is needed to complete their academic program.
- Teach students how to identify, access, and effectively use various resources that support their success in the academic environment.
- These resources may be directly related to academics (i.e. tutoring, study strategies, and testing accommodations) or indirectly related (i.e. counseling services, career development, financial aid).
- Help students understand policies and use tools necessary to navigate university systems (i.e. MyUI registration and planning tools, progression policy, financial aid website).
Assured Admit and Pharmacy Interest Advising
Students in the Assured Admission program are advised by a dedicated advisor in the College of Pharmacy. Students who are not in the Assured Admission program but have declared Pharmacy Interest are advised jointly by a team consisting of an advisor in the Academic Advising Center with a specialty in Pharmacy Interest, and the director of admission in the College of Pharmacy. Students who start off in the Assured Admission program, then decide to step out and declare Pharmacy Interest, may continue with their existing College of Pharmacy Advisor.
Academic Advising – Office of Professional Education
In the UI College of Pharmacy, academic advising is provided to students as follows:
Doctor of Pharmacy Students
Tammy Fraser
Director of Student Success
Undergraduate Pharmacy Interest Students
Liz Davis
Director of Admissions
Co-advisor with UI Academic Advising Center
Graduate Students
Assigned an advisor through the graduate programs.
Why do I have an Advisor AND a Faculty Mentor?
While there may be overlap in the support provided (some mentoring experiences may provide advising help, and some advisors may develop into mentors), the intent of each role is a little different. By having both an advisor and a mentor, students are able take advantage of different types of support and benefit from varying perspectives.
Advising generally provides more directive support, either by providing information, teaching you how to access and use various resources, or coaching you as you develop effective strategies to address barriers you are facing in achieving your goals. Advisors have expertise with navigating a program and institution, and techniques to address challenges.
Mentoring is typically relationship and often career focused. Having gone through some of the same challenges, such as attending graduate school or working as a pharmacist, mentors have garnered wisdom. Mentors can share their experiences, act as a role model, and support you in the journey of becoming a pharmacist. In the PharmD program, faculty mentors are very involved in helping you process and reflect on your IPPE and APPE experiences as you grow professionally.
Despite the differences, mentors and advisors have a lot in common. Both will work to build rapport and create an environment where you feel comfortable to share your questions, concerns, and successes. Both may use coaching strategies to support you in a plan you are pursuing. Both care about your progress, believe in your ability to achieve, and want to see you reach your goals. If your advisor/mentor thinks you’d be best served by talking with someone else too, they’ll let you know.