From the moment Nicole Slater ’12 stepped on Shenandoah’s campus and met her admissions counselor, she knew SU was the perfect place for her. She loved the campus, the people, the close-knit family feeling and the opportunity to be a pre-admitted pharmacy student.
Slater was a Shenandoah student for a total of eight years and during that time, she completed undergraduate coursework, received her Pharm.D. and completed a PGY-1 residency followed by an Ambulatory Care/Academic Fellowship. She remembers, “I was mentored by some of the best faculty, who saw great potential in me and pushed me to pursue career avenues I never imagined possible. I was filled with support and encouragement from everyone I came into contact with and was taught important life lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today.”
As an assistant clinical professor at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy, Slater has the opportunity to teach courses, serve on a variety of committees, participate in scholarly activities and advise students. One of Slater’s most rewarding experiences was serving as an advisor for a group of highly motivated student pharmacists. The students took it upon themselves to start a free clinic to help the homeless population. In 2015, Slater was nominated by Auburn’s student pharmacists and received the prestigious Hargreaves Faculty Mentor Award.
Slater’s advice to current students is, “Always take the advantage of exploring every opportunity throughout your academic career. When I started pharmacy school, I never thought I would end up becoming a professor and clinician. Ask questions and get to know your professors because they will be your biggest advocates and supporters.”