The College of Pharmacy is the oldest and only University System of Georgia pharmacy granting degree institution in the state. The Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee of the College of Pharmacy actively meets to promote diversity at all levels within the college including recruiting, retaining, education and community outreach.
All policies of the College of Pharmacy are in alignment with the policy of the University of Georgia. The University of Georgia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admission, or access to its programs or activities.
Statements on Loss and Systemic Racism Against Black People
Statement on Loss and Systemic Racism Against Black People – June 2020
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Our country is experiencing a wide range of emotions including anger, incredulity, despair, loss, and determination.
We continue to grapple with a lack of humanity, including the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black people. It is evident that we should not move forward as a society until we expose and address the structures that perpetuate systemic racism, inequities in healthcare, racial disparities in health outcomes, economic insecurity, and low educational opportunity within our communities. Centuries of oppression have harmed the well-being of Black lives and other marginalized groups. In the College of Pharmacy, we value social justice, human rights, equity, human dignity, respect, and compassion.
We stand in solidarity with those across the globe who are advocating for racial justice. We further denounce racist and socially unjust acts toward Black communities and marginalized groups. We stand in solidarity, with one voice and one message – Black Lives Matter in the College of Pharmacy at UGA.
Developed by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the College of Pharmacy (June 2020): Dr. Danielle Vitale, Committee Chair; Dr. Ashley Hannings; Dr. Vivia Hill-Silcott; Dr. Rusty May, Donella Moore; Omar Mounta, Student Representative, 2019-2020; Jason Wallace, Ex-officio member.
A Letter from Dean Kelly Smith – June 2020
A Letter from Dean Kelly Smith – March 2021
A Letter from Dean Kelly Smith – April 2021
Statement on Persecution of Persons of Asian Descent
Statement on Persecution of Persons of Asian Descent – March 2021
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy condemns the recent acts of violence and hatred directed towards individuals of Asian heritage. We stand in support and solidarity with all of our Asian and Asian American students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, especially those who have experienced persecution because of their race and ethnicity. As a key tenet in our 2025 Strategic Plan, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is critical in our culture of inclusiveness. As we have stated in the past, there is no place for racism and injustice in our society. Our PharmDawg family stands with the greater community in rejecting anti-Asian and ALL forms of racism.
Mission
To enhance the experience of professional students in the College of Pharmacy and support their success in the Doctor of Pharmacy program by:
- Recruiting and admitting a highly qualified student body
- Providing academic, career, and personal counseling
- Serving as an advocate for and on behalf of students
facilitating and empowering students’ active participation in professional organizations - Implementing activities designed to further diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence
- Planning and conducting a variety of student-oriented events
- Overseeing course schedules and the student registration process
- Providing information for current and prospective students in online and print formats
Initiatives
- New Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion Grant to enhance retention through academic support of current PharmD. students
- Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute for high school students to increase awareness of Pharmacy Careers, recruit prospective pharmacy students and increase ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in College of Pharmacy application pool.
- Cultural Competence in Pharmacy Care Skills Laboratory
- Female Scientists in the Academy Annual Panel Presentation – Women’s History Month
- Invited Guest Speakers – Black History Month
- Community Partnership and Outreach – K-12 Students within Athens-
- Clarke County and surrounding counties may schedule a facilities tour to receive an overview of pharmacy careers, and a compounding laboratory experience.
Resources
American Pharmacist Association (APhA)
Disability Resource Center
LGBT Resource Center
Office of Institutional Diversity
Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPHA)
The Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists (ABHP)
Walgreens Diversity Initiative Grant for students
The University of Georgia Equal Opportunity Office (EOO)
UGA Campus Resources for Diversity and Inclusion
Areas of Responsibility
- Direct statewide initiatives to identify and recruit under-represented and underserved students into the professional degree program
- Develop, implement, and track programs to recruit minority students and to acquaint them with pharmacy careers
- Develop programs to provide information to prospective minority and other underserved groups of students (on and off campus); meet and interview prospective students for admission candidacy
- Develop programs to include cultural sensitivity within the College of Pharmacy community
- Develop and instruct innovative cultural competence content for value added education and awareness in the professional degree programs
- Serve as an advisor to faculty and administrator on issues of diversity and multiculturalism.
- Identify grant /gift funding for need and merit based financial aid for current professional students.
- Engage current students through innovative academic initiatives to create awareness concerning issues of cultural competence and diversity
- Serve on the University-wide Diversity Representative Advisory Council
- Direct the Dean Stuart Feldman Summer Science Institute
