The School of Pharmacy is assisting students in the pursuit of a future of financial freedom by way of a free financial literacy program. A SIUE Innovation and Excellence in Graduate Education grant focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was awarded to the SOP for the creation of a two-month program comprising 15 first-generation and underrepresented student pharmacists. 

“Financial literacy and health are critical life skills that many students have not been exposed to,” said Jessica Kerr, PharmD, professor and associate dean of professional and student affairs. “Through this grant funding and assistance from the SIUE Graduate School, we were able to develop a program that many students valued.” 

In addition to the financial literacy program, the grant also resulted in the SOP hosting a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Pharmacy Careers Retreat on June 6. The one-day retreat focused on the SOP’s dedication to providing care for the needs of a diverse world by inviting students from HBCUs to consider a career in pharmacy. 

Read more about both programs. 

Jessica Kerr, PharmD, associate dean of professional and student affairs and professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been honored as the 2021-2022 Illinois Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year. This award is given to a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) who has made a special contribution to the field and is seen as a role model by their peers and colleagues.   

Kerr has been a CDCES since 2004. Her interest in the study of diabetes first stemmed from her grandfather’s diagnosis while she was attending pharmacy school.   

“The complexity of the disease state and how it affects all aspects of one’s life should not be ignored,” said Kerr. “The position of pharmacists within a health care team brings great opportunity to directly impact the healthcare system for improved safety and efficacy while advocating for our patients that we have direct access to.”    

Learn more about Kerr.

Jingyang Fan, PharmD, assistant dean of academic affairs and clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been selected to participate in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Academic Leadership Fellow Program (ALFP) for the 2022-23 academic year. 

Fan is among 35 rising leaders in the year-long leadership enrichment program that commenced in September. The program supports and contributes to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education. It also provides an opportunity for Fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues from other institutions and within their own college and university. 

“I am incredibly honored to be selected for the 19th cohort of the AACP ALFP,” said Fan. “I am excited to embark on this journey, explore my potential, and connect with other emerging leaders in the pharmacy academy.” 

Read more about the program.

Kelly Gable, PharmD, shared expert insights on the passage of a bill by the Missouri legislature that seeks to prohibit pharmacists from telling patients about dangers related to certain medications. 

Gable, a professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of well-being and resilience, contributed to a segment on St. Louis on the Air.  

Listen and read more.

2022 Engineering Mentor Mixer

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 5-7 p.m.
Second Floor Conference Center, Morris University Center

The SIUE Alumni Association and School of Engineering are partnering to host this event, which will include an alumni panel discussion on Holistic Engineering. Please consider being part of this event by participating as a mentor or a panelist. We are looking for alumni and community members from various engineering disciplines to connect with our School of Engineering students to help them prepare for their future careers.

Learn more and register to attend.

The SIUE Meridian Society Presents: Ivan Trevino and SIUE Percussion

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 5:45 p.m.
Fixins' Room, Morris University Center

Join the SIUE Meridian Society for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception featuring special performances from Ivan Trevino and the SIUE Percussion Ensemble. To celebrate Ivan Trevino's desire to show young Latinx musicians that anything is possible, bright colors are encouraged in your attire.

Register today!

October 11, 13* and 18 
11 a.m. or 6 p.m. 
*School of Pharmacy programs will be highlighted 

Attend and receive a fee waiver for the $40 Graduate School application fee. 

Learn more and register. 

The Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Award Committee is seeking nominations for individuals deserving of SIUE’s Honorary Degree or Distinguished Service Award. A candidate for an Honorary Degree has made significant contributions to cultural, educational, scientific, economic, social, humanitarian or other worthy fields of endeavor. Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals who have given outstanding or unusual service to the University, region or state. Current SIUE employees are not eligible for awards. 

Nominations must be received no later than Monday, Oct. 3. Learn more about the criteria for submission and to access the nomination forms. A list of former recipients is available on the University Archives website. 

Fall into new opportunities with SIUE Online Services and Educational Outreach as we explore a variety of new personal and professional courses! We are excited to be launching new courses, as well as our Fall 2022 catalog. Please visit our website at siue.edu/educational-outreach to peruse, stay updated, and register for all the Personal, Professional, Lifelong Learning, Educard and various other offerings OSEO is presenting!