(275) Applying Innovation in the Curriculum and Beyond to Promote Student Success and Professional Identity Formation

Objective : Chicago State University invests in Professional Identity Formation (PIF) for student pharmacists through programming threaded throughout pre-matriculation, didactic, co-curricular, and experiential programming.

Methods: Collaborative brainstorming was conducted to address student and new graduate success. The need for additional approaches to promote PIF aspects of student readiness, professionalism, academic strength, self-awareness, and success mindsets, were identified.

Results: To support PIF as students move into the professional program, the institution expanded orientation to include online pre-matriculation and on-site bridging workshops promoting successful mindsets and effective learning methodologies. A new course was implemented titled, “Introduction to Professionalism and Self-awareness,” where students engage in discourse surrounding the 10 tenets described in the Student Professionalism White Paper. The Pledge and the Oath of a Pharmacist are used to introduce the attitudes and behaviors that exhibit student pharmacist professionalism and create a foundation for PIF. Self-Awareness is introduced through interactive sessions on emotional intelligence and further cultivated via professional portfolios and networking with preceptors, faculty, and alumni to discuss the transition from student to pharmacist. These concepts are also included in the professional practice courses and the new pharmacy patient skills series.
A revitalization of co-curricular programming was also undertaken post-pandemic. Collaboration among faculty and student leaders resulted in increased workshops and student organization events, providing leadership development and patient care activities promoting PIF. Innovation in student standardized examination preparation and in faculty professional development focused on first-generation students has also occurred through collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Conclusions: A multifaceted approach to redesigning the curriculum, co-curriculum, and programmatic operations can be used to promote student success and pharmacist PIF.