Emma Baker, Emily Hainer, and Allison Smitherman are final-year PharmD candidates at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy.
With the demand of pharmacy school classes and other commitments, finding opportunities for service can often be difficult for students. At the Purdue University College of Pharmacy, there is a program that addresses this problem. Under the direction of Chelsea Baker, PharmD, BCPS, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy, the college of pharmacy initiated a new teaching assistant (TA) program for the Professional Skills Lab (PSL). In spring 2021, three third-year professional students served as TAs to the second-year lab course. As part of piloting the program, the TAs were responsible for constructing a syllabus, communicating with students, and assisting with adjustment and maintenance of the previously established lab curriculum.
To provie more detail on the impact of this experience, below are brief accounts from each TA about their experience of near-peer academia for directly improving education.
Emma Baker
Because I have a passion for service and pedagogy, I was able to take a skill that I already had and teach that to younger students. During the spring semester, second-year student pharmacists experience the hands-on technique of proper sterilization and standards. Because my internship for the past 3 years involved work in the sterile compounding room preparing I.V.s, I was able to use my familiarity with the I.V. room and combine it with my passion for academia. I was able to see firsthand how my knowledge was positively applied to a learning activity that benefited students.
Emily Hainer
My favorite part of this experience was building the culture of mentorship and leaving a lasting legacy as we transition to the next group of leaders. This was most evident when we created the syllabus, prepared the TA application, and conducted interviews for students to hold the TA position next year. I found great joy in discussing the position with students in order to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. When it came to conducting interviews, I learned effective interview questions and evaluation strategies that I know will be useful as I work toward a role in pharmacy administration.
Allison Smitherman
Being a TA for PSL this past year has been an extraordinary learning experience. This TA position gave me the chance to see the administrative side of what it takes to run a college pharmacy course. The collaboration I was able to see between various faculty and professors was impressive and eye-opening. Throughout the semester, I also had the opportunity to help teach various lab activities and improve many of the individual labs. I have an incredible passion for mentoring, and this gave me the chance to learn more about what it truly takes to pursue a career in academia.
A growing program
The pilot program’s success is proven by student interest in holding the TA position in the future, as well as course evaluations by the students who were served. After being positively affected by the pilot program, 29 students applied for the position. From those 29, 15 received interviews and 5 students were chosen to serve in the role for the next academic year. This role continues to evolve and grow in providing students an opportunity to teach, research, and mentor during their time in pharmacy school.