As a second-year pharmacy student, Xavierite Bryan Shaw is on the path to fulfilling his dreams. His passion for pharmacy sparked in high school, where Shaw discovered how vital and meaningful a pharmacy career could be.

“My mentor was close friends with a pharmacist, and I learned how well-versed pharmacists are in understanding how to diagnose and help patients,” said Shaw. “People have misconceptions that pharmacists are pill pushers, but there’s so much that pharmacists do to help patients that inspired me to pursue pharmacy.”

A San Diego, California native, Shaw and his twin sister visited Louisiana for college tours. He always envisioned himself attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). He knew immediately after visiting Xavier’s campus that it would be an environment where he could thrive as a Black student.

“Most of my family graduated from HBCUs, including both of my parents. I saw successful, Black people in my family who had good careers who went to an HBCU. I decided to attend Xavier, and I’ve loved it here since,” said Shaw.

Pursuing a pharmacy career has taught Shaw the crucial role of pharmacists in healthcare.

“Pharmacists are the frontline; You’ll see your pharmacist more often than you’ll see another doctor,” said Shaw. “Whether you need a referral or change in medication, pharmacists are versed in understanding your problems, and their main focus is the patient.”

Xavier’s community has also fostered Shaw’s pharmacy education and made his college experience enjoyable.

“There’s a camaraderie here at Xavier. All the students are family, and we all push each other to succeed. It’s empowering to be with other students of color on campus,” said Shaw.

Shaw’s College of Pharmacy (COP) experience has been enriching and rewarding. He participated in Xavier’s Pharmacy Pre-Matriculation Summer Program (PPMSP). PPMSP exposes first-year students to the rigors of pharmacy coursework to acclimate them into their new environment as professional students.

He shared that Xavier’s COP provides many resources that promote student growth and development, such as an in-depth course curriculum and tutoring opportunities. The course Shaw has found the most compelling is the Professional Abilities Lab (PAL). PAL uses online pharmacy simulators to provide students with a first-hand experience working in a pharmacy. He’s also faced challenging coursework, such as immunology, which teaches pathogens, diseases and their effect on the human body. Even when courses are demanding, Shaw has found them beneficial and educational because they directly relate to working as a pharmacist.

“I’m grateful our classes give real-world applications of what we’re learning and how we should be thinking. There are things I never would have considered as a pharmacist that have now been brought to my attention,” said Shaw. “Xavier goes well beyond just teaching information but also frameworks what real life will be like as a pharmacist so that when we leave here, we are ready.”

Shaw is also thankful for Xavier’s support as he can connect with other pharmacy students who are familiar with the rigors of pharmacy school. He advises pharmacy students not to feel discouraged because the campus community offers encouragement, support, and guidance.

“The P3 and P4 students keep in touch and share study tips on how to get ready for exams and what to focus on. It’s amazing because it really helps you feel supported and makes things not as overwhelming,” said Shaw. “The P1 class is also one huge family and having the COP support system is powerful because you don’t feel alone.”

Shaw is expected to graduate in 2026 with his doctorate in pharmacy. With an interest in clinical and hospital pharmacy, Shaw aspires to make a difference in others’ lives by becoming a pharmacy director. He hopes to travel worldwide to gain an understanding of pharmacy and use his knowledge to provide the best health outcomes for patients.

“As a pharmacist, it’s our duty to find the main problem that faces our patients and to figure out what they need,” said Shaw. “When I become a pharmacist, I want to make sure I’m not just giving patients whatever is prescribed to them but looking at their charts holistically.”

He shared that pharmacists’ role in immunizing during the COVID-19 pandemic helped showcase pharmacy’s impact nationwide. Shaw hopes for pharmacists to continue being seen for their commitment and dedication to patient health.

“Pharmacy is so important because it is patient-centered. My hope for pharmacy in the future is that people will continue to see that pharmacists have a great willingness to help,” said Shaw. “I hope people will see pharmacists in a new light; a person you can talk to, ask questions, and feel comfortable with rather than intimidated.”