Transforming Attitude and Passion - TAP into your leadership potential
A Student Leadership Development Retreat
Each fall, the College of Pharmacy hosts an extra-curricular retreafocused on helping students recognize their ability to influence their environment regardless of position or title, the need for passionate commitment to excellence, the importance of teamwork and the value of self-reflection. The retreat is open to students in their second, third or fourth year of the PharmD curriculum. This overnight experience is hosted off-campus at a nature-oriented retreat center.
Prior to attending, participants read The Fred Factor, a short story with a powerful message about how an average postman took responsibility for making a difference for those he served. Students complete a reflective assignment about personal commitment to excellence in professional practice and service. This assignment serves as their "ticket" into the retreat.
Over the course of the weekend, students participate in mini-lectures, small and large group discussions, self-discovery and reflection, organized team-building experiences and social networking activities. The retreat is facilitated by three faculty members and pharmacy practice residents enrolled in the “Leadership Emphasis” of College’s Ambulatory Care Residency Program.
Forty to fifty students participate each year and response to the retreat has been highly positive. Some of the post-retreat comments received from participants include:
I really valued the opportunity to get away from distractions of my everyday life and reflect on pharmacy education and practice currently and changes in the future. Overall, I just felt motivated and excited about pharmacy after this retreat!
I appreciated learning how to see the potential to lead in my colleagues who are not in the forefront of leadership roles within the student organizations.
One benefit was the opportunity to re-realize how important it is for me to have "downtime" to be able to be reflective. It is very difficult to find the opportunities for reflection right now.
My favorite part of the retreat was getting to work together with people you normally do not come in contact with at school, broadening social and professional circles.
A full description of the retreat format and an analysis of student response to the first offering will be published in early 2009 in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. For additional information, please feel free to contact Dr. Todd Sorensen,
Dr. Andrew Traynor or Dr. Kristin Janke.
Our “thanks” are extended to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for their contribution to the College of Pharmacy’s Student Leadership Development Endowment Fund, which provides the financial support necessary to deliver this retreat.
For 2008 Retreat Participants, download your pre-retreat assignment here.
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