The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences brought students, faculty and staff together Friday morning for the CPHS First-Year Student Networking Breakfast, offering an opportunity to build connections, learn more about the Campbell community and have some fun along the way.
Hosted by CPHS Student Affairs, led by Dr. Mark Moore, associate dean for Student & Professional Affairs, and Brenda Blackman, director of Student Affairs, all first-year CPHS students were invited to the event, which drew 265 students and more than 40 faculty and staff. Over breakfast, students had the opportunity to meet classmates from across the College’s programs as well as faculty and staff they may encounter throughout their time at Campbell.
The morning was designed to introduce students not only to one another, but also to resources, opportunities and expectations that will be part of their experience at CPHS. The program included presentations on social media and marketing, Campbell CommUNITY Care Days, Interprofessional Education (IPE) and the Campbell University Hallmarks.
Meredith Blalock, CPHS director of communications and marketing, shared information about the College’s social media presence and encouraged students to help tell the CPHS story by capturing and sharing moments from their experiences in the classroom, labs, student organizations and other activities.
Dr. Pam Edwards and Carmellia Webb discussed Interprofessional Education (IPE) opportunities and expectations. IPE is an important component of the CPHS experience, bringing students from different health professions together to learn with, from and about one another while developing skills they will use as members of collaborative healthcare teams.
Dr. Laura Gerstner introduced students to Campbell CommUNITY Care Days. Launched by CPHS in 2024, Camels Care CommUNITY Days brings Campbell students, faculty and staff together to serve communities throughout the region. The initiative combines community engagement with interprofessional collaboration, giving students from different health professions opportunities to work alongside one another while putting Campbell’s commitment to service into action.
Rachel Nelson concluded the educational portion of the morning with a presentation on the Campbell University Hallmarks. An interactive activity and discussion gave students an opportunity to explore the principles that help define the Campbell experience and consider how those values can guide them throughout their education.
While the morning provided plenty of information, it also emphasized fellowship and building community. Students shared breakfast, met peers outside their individual programs and enjoyed a few lighthearted moments together, including joining in a wave across the room.
The networking breakfast provided an early opportunity for first-year students to see CPHS as more than a collection of individual academic programs. Together with faculty and staff, they are part of a larger College community that values collaboration, connection and learning across disciplines.
With a room filled with more than 300 members of the CPHS community, the morning offered a fitting start to the academic year and a chance to begin building relationships that can continue throughout students’ time at Campbell and into their future careers.
