APhA–ASP was built on a legacy of leadership. Throughout the existence of the Academy, student pharmacists have helped contribute to making the practice of pharmacy what it is today. The Academy has helped develop and mold leaders through intentional programming, opportunities, and structure.

Let me take this opportunity to share with you one of the greatest secrets to how our Academy develops student pharmacists in becoming “Fearlessly Authentic” leaders.

For our chapter’s APhA–ASP 50th Anniversary Celebration Poster at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Seattle this past March, it was important for me to showcase our college of pharmacy in a way that really connected the people and faces with all the hard work that is put in behind the scenes. Although the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, I had surprisingly little information about the history of APhA here on campus.

“Are you sure you want to do this? You do not even speak English!”

This is just an example of the things I heard when my husband and I decided to go to college in the United States. I cannot say that I did not feel supported from family and friends, but I wanted to start with these quotes to show you where I was and where I stand right now in life.

My husband, Ahmed, and I left Saudi Arabia in 2011 and came to America to achieve my dream of being a pharmacist. Leaving my country and family was not easy; however, it was one of the best decisions I have made. When we first arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, I said to myself, “How am I going to do this?” After a couple of deep breaths, I told myself to stop thinking about pharmacy school and start by learning the language first. Life is hard and sometimes we have no control over it. But we can control how we respond and react to whatever we face. After so many happy, sad, exciting, disappointing, and cheerful moments, I got accepted at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy.