College Initiatives

2023-2024 Texas A&M First Generation Celebration

First Generation Student Career Leadership Conference

The 4th Annual 2024 Circle of Change First Generation Student Career Leadership Experience was attended by a first-generation student, Julissa Rodriguez from the Texas A&M College of Pharmacy.

Over three days, April 12th – 14th in Miami, Florida, first-generation students heard from dynamic keynote speakers, career/leadership coaches, and professionals from top-tier organizations in South Florida. They engaged in a specially designed program that helped them position themselves for career leadership success after graduation. The College of Pharmacy representative, Julissa Rodriguez, earned a scholarship at the conference. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "At the beginning of the conference, they mentioned that they would be awarding scholarships to nine individuals and that we just needed to apply for the chance to receive them. I initially doubted myself and thought that I would not receive it, but upon hearing the many keynote speakers, I took the opportunity and applied. Towards the end of the conference, the scholarships were awarded, and I was one of those lucky individuals who received the scholarship. I knew then that I was capable of achieving so much more and that I just needed to believe in myself and break the barriers that were preventing me from being successful."

The conference featured amazing speakers, career coaches, and panelists who focused on several key areas. They helped students engage in career exploration and self-awareness assessments, allowing them to determine the most aligned career paths after college. Students were assisted in developing a career map, which consisted of a strategic action plan outlining specific milestones necessary for career success. They learned how to create a professional brand, develop elevator pitches, and network effectively with professionals in their fields, while also establishing a networking database. Additionally, participants gained insights into utilizing LinkedIn to position themselves for future career leadership success and were empowered with information on finding and maximizing internship experiences. The program emphasized the importance of financial insight for post-graduation success and equipped students with essential skills such as writing resumes, researching organizations, interviewing effectively, and negotiating salaries. Moreover, it fostered resiliency, self-care, and emotional intelligence, preparing students to navigate challenges within their areas of expertise. Ultimately, the program aimed to increase students' leadership capacity and help them build the necessary skills to thrive as leaders in their fields.

For more information on this transformational career leadership experience for first generation students visit  https://www.firstgencareerconference.com

Spring Forward Alumni Session

The College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine collaborated on a unique first-generation student initiative. The two Texas A&M Health schools brought together first-generation guest speakers to host the “Spring Forward with Alumni” event! The virtual event featured Class of 2023 alumnae, Dr. Shelby Martinez, PharmD. Since then, she has represented the College of Pharmacy and spoke about her journey to PharmD as a first-generation student while sharing guidance towards success.

Dr. Martinez is a 2023 graduate from Texas A&M College of Pharmacy and a proud First-Generation student. During her time within professional college, she worked hard to break barriers for herself and help others around her succeed. She participated in several student organizations on campus, even holding a national position in one. Behind the scenes, she is a mother to two young daughters who have always been her motivation. Now a licensed pharmacist, Dr. Martinez works in retail pharmacy and is a consultant pharmacist for a freestanding emergency room. She takes it upon herself to mentor prospective pharmacy students to help grow the field and encourage those with similar pasts as hers.

Watch Dr. Martinez's testimonial here: 

First-Generation Graduate Student Symposium Engaging First-gen Graduate and Professional Students

On Friday, February 2nd, current first-gen graduate students convened virtually for an afternoon of tailored professional development and networking at the 7th Annual First-Generation Graduate Student Symposium.

Sessions addressed the scholarly writing process, personal branding, negotiation, financial literacy, and much more.

Find more information about the schedule of events here  The 7th Annual First-Generation Graduate Student Symposium | Newbury Center. 

Texas A&M Pharmacy First-Generation Celebration Day

The National First-Generation College Celebration Day takes place on November 8^th annually.  All week long, the Office of Student Affairs celebrates our first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni while partnering with various office units at the College of Pharmacy and within the System.

Throughout the week, the College of Pharmacy hosted celebrations including a poster gallery walkthrough to be inspired by stories of our Aggie Pharmily. Also, all members of our Pharmily were able to share their gratitude with appreciation post cards that were sent to those that have helped throughout their academic journey.  In addition, the Office of Student Affairs collaborated with the Office of Experiential Education and Student Success to set up a table fair highlighting student resources and professional development opportunities to our students.

Lastly, the College of Pharmacy collaborated with the School of Medicine for a Lunch & Learn event and had Dr. John Hellerstedt (Former Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services) as the guest speaker.At the College of Pharmacy we are comprised of 43% of our current student body who self-identify as first-generation. We support and ensure that each student has the resources to thrive at the Rangel College of Pharmacy by building a culture of support for all students.