The Pharmacy Student Ambassadors are a select group of current Nesbitt School of Pharmacy students who encourage, mentor and create a diverse and inclusive community of future student pharmacists.
Duties and Responsibilities
Pharmacy student ambassadors seek to build meaningful, personalized experiences and relationships with prospective student pharmacists.
Activities Include
- Lead tours of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy to prospective students.
- Attend Wilkes University admissions events such as open houses and Admitted Students Day.
- Mentor an assigned group of students.
- Attend high school presentations.
- Answer questions from students and prospective students.
How to Join
Current P1-P3 pharmacy students in good standing within the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Wilkes University may apply becoming a student ambassador by submitting the following:
- A one to two page essay describing their interest in serving in this role, involvement in activities, and describe any leadership experiences.
- A curriculum vitae or resume.
- A reference from a Wilkes University faculty or staff member (e.g. current or past advisor, supervisor or mentor).
Selected finalists will interview with the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy admissions team and current pharmacy student ambassadors.
Meet the Ambassadors
Julia Firestine
Current Year: P3
Get to Know Julia Firestine
I am originally from Downingtown, PA which is just 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia. My decision to attend Wilkes was due to their well rounded and accelerated pharmacy program. Within the pharmacy program I currently serve as class president, APhA Reproductive Health co-chair, curriculum committee student representative, and assist in professor-led research projects. Outside of Wilkes, I am the head pharmacy intern at a community pharmacy in Boyertown, where I help conduct mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics, diabetes self management services, hypertension initiatives and much more. I am interested in community and industry aspects of pharmacy as a profession, and I would love to show other students all the opportunities pharmacy has to offer!
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
I enjoy the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy due to the opportunity I have for involvement in clubs, research, academic committees, and professional development.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I decided to apply to Wilkes after a student ambassador came to my school. She was pivotal in my understanding of pharmacy school and calmed my nerves about applying. I hope to help other students in similar ways, and hopefully calm their concerns!
Colton Card
Current Year: P2
Get to Know Colton Card
I am a P2 student pharmacist from McAdoo, PA. I am a proud 2019 graduate of the Hazleton Area High School. I chose Wilkes because of the small, close knit environment you get with both peers and professors. Everyone on campus is always ready to help and it makes Wilkes feel like a second home. On campus, I am actively involved with both PPA and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and going to various sporting events/concerts. A fun fact about me is that I am currently on the SCTP National Team for International Bunker Trapshooting in hopes of one day being on the United States Olympic Team.
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
I like the Wilkes Nesbitt School of Pharmacy because everyone here wants to see you succeed. I also love all the opportunities we have on campus to get involved and get out of your comfort zone.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I decided to be a student ambassador because I want to be the person that makes prospective students fall in love with our program the same way I have.
Sidney McNeil
Current Year: P1
Get to Know Sidney McNeil
Hello! I’m Sidney and I am a first-year pharmacy student here at Wilkes. I am local to the area – I went to Wyoming Valley West and still live in from Kingston! - and always love talking to potential students from both near and far. I’ve been involved on campus with chemistry research, different clubs, and I am my pharmacy class president. As someone who loves to be a jack-of-all-trades, Wilkes has been a wonderful community for me because its both extremely diverse yet still close-knit and welcoming. Outside of Wilkes, I love to dance, read, enjoy all the beautiful outdoor activities that are offered around Wilkes-Barre - and of course, visit Starbucks on campus. I love the opportunities that Wilkes Pharmacy continues to offer to me, and I am excited to see what the next four years will bring!
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
Wilkes Pharmacy was right for me because I loved small classes that allowed for personal attention from professors and a family-like community within the pharmacy class! Wilkes also drew me in with a beautiful campus, great facilities, scholarship opportunities, and fun events all year long.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I became a student ambassador because I genuinely love being a Colonel and want to spread information on all our Pharmacy school has to offer. Wilkes Pharmacy was absolutely the right path for me, and I am eager to help future Nesbitt School of Pharmacy students see that this is the right path for them as well.
Nathaniel Edwards
Current Year: P2
Get to Know Nathaniel Edwards
I am Senior pharmacy major in my P-2 year. I am originally from a small town in upstate NY called Morris which is about 2 and a half hours away from here. I came to Wilkes because I fell in love with the feel of the campus. It was in the city and close to everything, but also felt secluded at the same time. I chose pharmacy as my major because it encompassed several of my interests which were my love for helping people along with my love for chemistry. On campus, I am part of the honors program, ACCP, APhA, I work at the Archives on campus part time, and I am the treasurer for our pharmacy senate. I have also worked in industry and I have done research with one of our professors.
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
I believe the pharmacy professors are the most caring and want you to succeed. It feels like an environment to thrive in!
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I decided to become an ambassador because I am passionate about Wilkes. I feel like as an ambassador, I can make other people passionate as well!
Lauren Wagner
Current Year: P2
Get to Know Lauren Wagner
I am a P2 PharmD/MBA student from Shamokin, Pennsylvania located about 15 minutes from the famous Knoebels Amusement Resort. I was accepted with a guaranteed seat into the Wilkes Nesbitt School of Pharmacy my senior year of high school. I completed my undergrad here at Wilkes and loved the smooth transition from my undergraduate education to pharmacy school. Within the pharmacy school, I am very involved; I am a Pharmacy Senate team representative and Chaplain of Lambda Kappa Sigma, member of American Pharmacists Association (APhA), member of Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) and co-chair for fundraising for the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). Outside of pharmacy school, I work as a pharmacy technician at Geisinger Medical Center. I am super excited and honored to be a student ambassador again for the Wilkes Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
I like the Wilkes Nesbitt School of Pharmacy because I felt that the faculty at the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy wanted me to be successful as much as I wanted to see myself succeed. The opportunities that I have gained since starting pharmacy school is unimaginable and I know I have the support from the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I decided to become a student ambassador because I wanted to show potential pharmacy students why Wilkes is the place to be.
Nikki Polivka
Current Year: P2
Get to Know Nikki Polivka
Hi! I am a P2 pharmacy major from a small town in PA called Weatherly. My high school graduating class only had about 50 students in it, so Wilkes was very appealing to me due to the close-knit community here on campus. Besides being a Pharmacy Ambassador, I am a first year student E-Mentor, President of my Pharmacy class, and I have various positions in some of the Pharmacy clubs here on campus (listing the club acronyms results in something similar to alphabet soup, but please know there are many ways to get involved here). Additionally, outside of school, I am employed as a Pharmacy intern at Rite Aid Pharmacy. This will be my second year as a Pharmacy Ambassador and I am so excited to help you find out why Wilkes is the place to be!
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
The Wilkes Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is such a welcoming environment that promotes the growth and success of every student who walks through the door. I never felt anything but support and care while being a student here so far.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
I wanted to become a student ambassador because I wanted to help prospective students see why the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is the right fit for them, just like previous students did when I was looking at pharmacy schools.
Julianne Ernest
Current Year: P1
Get to Know Julianne Ernest
I am a transfer student and a first year pharmacy student (P1) from Danville PA! I completed my Bachelors in Biology at Penn State WE ARE! and my Masters in Biomedical Sciences at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. On campus I am involved in APhA and PPAG, I would love to tell you more about them later! Outside of campus, I am a friend, daughter, sister, cat momma and soccer coach! I went back to my first Alma mater to help coach the PSU Hazleton Women's Soccer team. I am a coffee lover, avid movie watcher and a fall time lover.
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
Wilkes NSoP is like what everyone says, a pharmily! As a new student at Wilkes, I was warmly welcomed by both staff and students, who made the transition here one of the best experiences I could ask for.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
My hope as an ambassador to be the resource and go-to person that I always wanted while I was going to school. I love the opportunity to educate anybody I can on what Wilkes has to offer and the feeling you’ll have once you step on campus.
Archi Gandhi
Current Year: P2
Get to Know Archi Gandhi
Hi everyone! I am originally from Scranton,PA, but recently moved to Moosic,PA. I am currently in my P2 year of pharmacy school. I am very involved in various pharmacy clubs and would love to answer any questions you may have. Outside of pharmacy, I am part of Wilkes Honors Program and National Society of Leadership and Success. Wilkes University has given me lots of opportunity to portray my leadership and help me make lifelong friendships. I like to call Wilkes my home away from home.
Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is a such small tight community, that all the professors and friends feel like family. As pharmacy school began, it felt like I was seeing my classmates more than my own family, as we all had same class together.
Why Did You Become a Pharmacy Student Ambassador?
Being a mentor and true guider is something I am deeply passionate about. I love being around new people and love to make connections with the prospective students to introduce them to our Pharmily. I have always been fortunate with the mentors I have received at Wilkes University and want to guide the new students in their new journey at WIlkes.