A Gift That Builds Belonging:

The First Gen Success Network


As we begin the spring semester, we are seeing the meaningful impact of the First Gen Success Network—launched in fall 2025 through the generosity of Miekeleen Hart, ’79 BSPh—on the engagement of our first‑generation pharmacy students. The First Gen Success Network is a comprehensive initiative designed to advance student success, foster belonging, and promote long‑term academic persistence.

Approximately 20% of our PharmD students identify as first generation, and we recognize that these students often navigate unique challenges as they pursue their professional education. Ms. Hart’s gift allows us to intentionally support these learners through three core areas: expansion of peer academic support, provision of scholarship assistance, and development of targeted educational and community‑building programming.

The First Gen Success Network is led by Cindy Sanoski, associate dean of student affairs, and Tammy Fraser, director of student success, whose leadership ensures the program is thoughtfully integrated into our broader student-success infrastructure.

As part of the peer academic support component, more than 20 pharmacy student tutors have been recruited and trained to support first‑generation learners through individual and small‑group engagement. During the program’s first semester in fall 2025, nearly 60% of first‑generation students participated in peer academic support, demonstrating both strong need and interest.



In addition, the First Gen Success Network created two student leadership positions to guide the development and implementation of educational programming. Following a competitive application and interview process, Isabele Raveling and Katlyn Zawojski were selected to serve as student leaders for spring 2026. They are charged with developing programming for incoming first‑generation students during Engagement Week in August, and designing an initiative that will lay the foundation for a sustained, community‑focused program to be launched in fall 2026. In recognition of their leadership and service, these student leaders received scholarships, further reinforcing academic persistence and success.

The First Gen Success Network reflects our college’s commitment to inclusive excellence and to ensuring that every student has the resources, mentorship, and community needed to thrive. We are profoundly thankful to Ms. Hart for her generosity and partnership in helping make this vision a reality.

Letendre to Receive Prestigious ASHP Award

The UI College of Pharmacy is proud to announce Donald Letendre, professor and dean emeritus, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award, the highest honor in health-system pharmacy.

Letendre will be formally recognized at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Pharmacy Futures 2026 event this June. His career demonstrates decades of leadership in pharmacy education, patient-centered research, and health-system practice.

Cancer Study Aims to Reach Thousands of At-Risk Iowans

Only about 20% of eligible Iowans undergo annual lung cancer screening. A new groundbreaking initiative called CHAMP (Community Health Assessment and Monitoring in the Pharmacy) aims to change that by integrating screenings into routine pharmacy visits and leveraging the accessibility and trust of local pharmacists. The community pharmacy-based, multi-year study hopes to reach thousands of at-risk Iowans.

Led by principal investigator, Jill Kolesar, dean, Jean M. Schmidt chair in drug discovery, and professor, the program is supported by Eli Lilly and Company. The Iowa Pharmacists Association, CPESN Iowa, and Greenwood Pharmacy in Waterloo, Iowa, are collaborators.

College of Pharmacy faculty co-investigators include Korey Kennelty, Jim Hoehns, and Stevie Veach, and collaborating UI Family Medicine physicians are Jeff Quinlan and Emily Sadecki. 

Learn more about the program, which was recently featured on KCRG-TV in Iowa City.

Recent Scholarly Publications

💛 Timothy, ’82 BSPh, ’85 MS, and Candy Mullenix gave a gift to the College of Pharmacy Opportunity Fund.

💛 Roger Overton, ’77 BSPh, gave a gift to the College of Pharmacy Opportunity Fund.

💛 Kathleen Doak Pyper, ’70 BSPh, gave gifts to the College of Pharmacy Building Fund, College of Pharmacy Opportunity Fund, and CANDID: Iowa Pharmacy Cancer Drug Discovery and Development Fund.

A Pharmacy Love Story

Love is in the air! Some students successfully obtain their degrees during college, and find their lifelong partners. Such is the case for alumni pharmacy sweethearts, Jan and Tony Caskey. 

One Day for Iowa

Mark your calendar!

Wednesday, March 25, is One Day for Iowa, the university’s 24-hour online giving day. You can make a significant impact with a gift to the fund of your choice.

Seeking Alumni Awards Nominations

Alumni, faculty, staff, and colleagues are invited to nominate graduates and friends of the UI College of Pharmacy for consideration as Distinguished, Honorary, or Genesis Alumni Award recipients.

Nominations accepted through March 14.

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