Harding University: 2020 HUCOP Annual Report

2020 HUCOP Annual Report

Hello from Searcy and everyone Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D. Dean and Professor at the Harding University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP)! Our family continues to grow and expand with faculty, staff, students, alumni, preceptors, practitioners, and friends. I hope you find yourself somewhere in that group. We love our HUCOP family and enjoy every opportunity to visit together.

I say it every year, and it rings true once again—Fall is my favorite time of year. It’s a time when we welcome new and returning students. It’s also a time when we are privileged to visit with many of our friends throughout the state during the APA Regional Meetings. Of course, everything looked quite different this fall semester amidst the COVID pandemic. Students resumed classes, but they did so under a strict protocol of masking and social distancing. The Regional Meetings were still conducted, but they were combined into four virtual meetings rather than the traditional faceto-face meetings in your communities. I sure miss the days where students could gather freely, and I missed visiting pharmacists and friends throughout the State of Arkansas during the Regional Meetings this year. But, that’s just how it is this year. Until life returns to normal, we are resolved to make 2020 the best it can be for our students and the HUCOP family.

We were delighted to welcome our thirteenth class of pharmacy students this year—the class of 2024! This group of 34 students hail from several different states and two foreign countries. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know this new cohort in an introduction to pharmacy course, and I am so impressed with them. They are such a diverse and bright group of individuals, and they are really bonding in their time together at Harding. We are excited for these new students that have joined out program and hope you get the opportunity to meet them soon.

One common question that I have received recently is whether or not our students are “on” campus. The answer is yes! While many colleges and schools have chosen various forms of virtual and distance learning, Harding remains committed to on-campus and in-classroom instruction. Doing so has been a challenge, but we prepared all summer with plans for social distancing rules and masking regulations, as well as physical space and classroom modifications necessary to facilitate our students’ return to campus. And, thus far, it has worked! Not only are we physically together for teaching and learning, but our students have also safely resumed patient care simulations, group work, professional organization meetings, and other social activities that we feel are so important in supporting the overall health and wellbeing of our students.

By far, the most exciting news that I have to share concerns a recent curricular revision that reshapes the structure and duration of our program. Following a recent faculty vote and final approval by the University and our accreditor, we will roll out a revised 3 ½ year curriculum this next year! Beginning Summer 2021, this student-centered, enhanced curricular plan will optimize students’ time and investment while preparing them for contemporary pharmacy practice and graduation in December 2024. That’s right, students will graduate one semester earlier than traditional 4-year Pharm.D. programs. If you know a student interested in pharmacy, we’d love for you to share this exciting news or have them contact us for more information.

In closing, I would like to express our gratitude to all of you who serve as preceptors, mentors, advocates and encouragers to our students. We consider you a part of our HUCOP family, and truly value your support and prayers as we seek to provide a well-rounded education for our students. We simply could not do what we do without you!

That’s a bit about what’s going on at Harding University College of Pharmacy. If you have any questions or interest in our program, please visit us at www.harding.edu/pharmacy or give us a call at 501-279-5528. §