More than 200 participants, including incoming students and their loved ones, gathered at Campbell University on March 14 to celebrate a major milestone…the next step toward joining the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
The event welcomed incoming students and gave them an opportunity to connect with faculty, staff and current students while learning more about their academic path at Campbell. Programs represented at the event included clinical research, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant practice and public health. For many attendees, the day marked their first opportunity to envision themselves as future healthcare professionals.
One incoming student remarked, “I’m excited to be at Campbell DPT for the community and just the loving, fun energy that’s around here.” Another student said, “I’m excited to start the Pharmaceutical Sciences program here at Campbell because there is such a vast amount of things in the industry that I want to learn and I feel that Campbell will allow me to explore those different resources and help me learn where I want to go after I graduate.”
The day began in Smith Hall, where attendees engaged in program presentations, interactive activities and conversations with faculty and students from each participating program. The event was planned and led by the CPHS Admissions Team, with faculty and current students present throughout the day to share program information, offer insight and guide incoming students and their families through what they can expect as members of the Campbell community. Following the morning sessions, participants gathered for lunch together before continuing with additional program specific activities in the afternoon.
More than 30 CPHS Student Ambassadors played an important role throughout the event, guiding guests around the building, answering questions, participating in panel discussions and assisting with interactive experiences. The Student Ambassadors program aims to represent the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in a professional and welcoming way while supporting the admissions team during open houses, visitation days and other recruitment events. Ambassadors also mentor newly accepted students and help prospective students learn more about life at Campbell. After lunch, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical research students continued their afternoon programming in Maddox Hall, while the PA, PT and public health students remained in Smith Hall to complete their afternoon sessions.
Dr. Jeff Mercer, dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, welcomed the group and spoke about the excellence of the University and the strength of the College’s academic programs, faculty and staff.
“Accepted Students’ Day is one of my favorite opportunities to celebrate the future of the College,” Mercer said. “I am grateful to our admissions team, faculty, staff and student ambassadors for their tremendous work creating a welcoming and informative experience. We are excited to welcome these students and their families to the Campbell community.”
Shari McGuire, assistant dean of admissions, said the event reflects the pride the College takes in welcoming incoming students and their support networks to campus.
“We truly enjoy welcoming our incoming students and take great pride in creating opportunities for them and their loved ones to experience our community together,” McGuire said. “Accepted Students’ Day allows them to meet faculty, connect with current students and begin to picture themselves as part of the Campbell family, and you can really feel the excitement as they get closer to starting their program and taking this next step toward becoming healthcare professionals.”
