I don’t know if I would be here if it were not for the Urban Health Program. I had offers to go to other schools to pursue my Pharmacy Degree, Purdue, Southern Illinois, and some others, but after I sat down with [College of Pharmacy UHP Director] Dr. Awe and she very honestly and very patiently went through my application with me, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

I love being at UIC. It is very welcoming and encouraging, especially the UHP office. I had a baby during my first semester enrolled in the program, but my professors and counselors helped me a lot. I don’t think many other schools would have been so understanding and helpful.

The Urban Health Program office has been very supportive. Dr. Awe is usually the first person I seek out when I have a problem, and [College of Pharmacy UHP Coordinator] Charese Jackson is like a big sister to me. I am proud to be a part of UHP and the College of Pharmacy, so much so that I have started going on UHP recruitment visits. I love being able to give something back, and helping UHP recruit students is a very rewarding way to do that. I can tell our Black and Brown little brothers and sisters that if I can do it, so can they. I tell them that I have three kids, ages 8, 6 and 1, but I am still successfully working to get my Pharmacy Doctorate. I tell them about the rewarding and lucrative careers they can have if they can stay focused and get into Pharmacy School and earn their own PharmD degrees. I tell them about the great atmosphere here at the UIC College of Pharmacy. And, most importantly, I tell them that with programs like UHP here to support us, we are all sure to succeed.