About the Program
The Walker Leadership Scholars (WLS) program seeks to develop and empower leaders who will make substantial contributions to the profession of pharmacy and transform healthcare.
WLS is designed to build a foundational understanding of basic leadership principles through activities and opportunities such as:
- Monthly lunch-and-learns with local and national leaders both in and outside of the pharmacy profession
- Travel stipends to allow the scholars to attend APhA’s Annual and Midyear meetings as well as other local leadership meetings
- A week-long trip to Washington D.C. during the P4 year to gain exposure to policy, advocacy, and legislative processes
- Individual mentoring experiences to support leadership development and provide insights into specific area of interest
Scholars are awarded by the Tony and Jeanette Walker Scholarship and earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction. Scholars also serve on the program’s advisory board, which includes participating in the application and interview process for new scholars.
On October 7, 2013, Donna J. Walker ('79) created and endowed the Walker Pharmacy Leadership Scholars Endowment Fund, launching a student leadership initiative that identifies, educates, and recognizes pharmacy student leaders at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.
The emblem of WLS 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.
Two scholars are selected from each class through a competitive application and interview process. The selected scholars participate in the program throughout their remaining three academic years. Meet our current Walker Leadership Scholars.
Students are notified of the application window during their first year of pharmacy school. Follow the Walker Leadership Scholars page on Facebook for more information regarding the upcoming recruitment process.
The Walker Leadership Scholars Program Advisory Board ensures the program remains dynamic in order to continually prepare student leaders to address today’s complex and changing health care issues. Meet our committee members.