Walker Leadership Scholars Program

The Walker Leadership Scholars Program provides high capacity pharmacy student leaders at the University of South Carolina
College of Pharmacy the opportunity to accelerate their leadership development through experiential learning and mentorship. Two
scholars are selected from each class through a competitive application and interview process at the end of their first year of
pharmacy school and participate in the program throughout the P2, P3 and P4 academic years.

MISSION
❖ To develop leaders in the profession of pharmacy who will make substantial contributions during their careers through
exceptional leadership in business, education, health policy, and advocacy.
❖ To support pharmacy students in developing leadership skills through a formalized program of academic and experiential
learning combined with an active mentorship component.
❖ To promote the training of critical leadership skills such as teamwork, decision-making, conflict management, problem
solving, planning, and communication.
❖ To engage students and develop networking skills through meetings with local and national leaders both in, and outside of,
the pharmacy profession.

“PURSUIT OF THE POSSIBLE”

The Walker Leadership Scholars (WLS) logo is an ancient apothecary weight bearing the seasonal symbols of alchemy. This Old World
instrument represents the weighing and measuring of decisions every day of every season to achieve excellence.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The first year of the program is designed to build a foundation and understanding of basic leadership principles through classroom
training. During the second year of the program, Scholars develop skills in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and mentoring by selecting
and coaching the new scholars. In addition, WLS spend a week in Washington, DC, to gain exposure to policy, advocacy, and
legislative processes impacting the profession. Scholars are highly encouraged to pursue a leadership role in the profession on a
local, regional and/or national level. The third year of the program is designed to provide practical professional leadership
experience through selected rotations with leadership components provided by preceptors. Individual mentoring experiences are
provided to support leadership development and provide insights into specific areas of interest. Throughout the program, WLS
attend APhA’s Annual and Midyear meetings as well as participate in lunch and learns with mentors from all facets of
leadership. One other notable experience that the WLS have is serving on the Advisory board for the program including participating
in the application and interview process. WLS are encouraged to provide continuous feedback on the program activities to ensure
leadership development goals are achieved. This feedback also ensures the WLS Program remains dynamic in order to continually
prepare student leaders to address today’s complex and changing health care issues.

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?

Walker Leadership Scholars strive to develop their leadership skills through interactions with established leaders both within and
outside the pharmacy community. Lunch and learns provide an opportunity to gain insights and advice from successful and
experienced leaders regarding a variety of career related topics. Discussions on a wide array of subjects including overcoming
challenges and personal tips on leadership will equip the Scholars with the tools to be enduring leaders in the field. The students will
be prepared with questions about your career path and choices you have made. They will also welcome any questions you may
have about the program.

CONTACTS
Kathy Quarles Moore Terry Dixon Jennifer Baker
kquarlesmoore@cop.sc.edu dixont@cop.sc.edu jbaker@cop.sc.edu
(803) 777-1990 (803) 777-5426 (803) 777-5123