Program Overview
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Transformation Center and the Academia-Community Transformation (ACT) Pharmacy Collaborative launches Cohort 2 of the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars (CPSS) program designed to inform and inspire students from all backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in community pharmacy. Through asynchronous learning modules, mentorship, networking, a group poster presentation, workshop training on leadership and self-awareness and networking event at the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting, the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars (CPSS) program aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of career paths in community pharmacy. The program will accept up to 20 students from colleges and schools of pharmacy for the 2025-2026 program. The overall program requires approximately 3 hours per month between September 2025 and June 2026 in addition to attendance at the AACP Annual Meeting on July 18-21, 2026, in Grapevine, Texas.
Download Materials
The 2025-26 Application Portal is NOW OPEN
Sponsorship
Thanks to our Champion sponsor, CPESN® USA, and Leading sponsor, Walgreens for their generous commitment to support the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars program. Their sponsorship has made a significant impact on our ability to deliver meaningful, high-quality programming to the students of the program.
Program Advisory Committee
Special thanks to our advisory committee members: Macary Marciniak (Committee lead), Meagan Brown (Committee lead), Sophia Herbert, Alyssa Vogel, Cody Clifton, and Wes Nuffer
Program Objectives
- Describe the various roles and responsibilities of a community pharmacist in patient care and scope of practice expansion.
- Describe the process for career advancement in community pharmacy and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to build a sustainable career pathway.
- Develop a network of peers and mentors interested in community pharmacy practice.
- Discuss contemporary areas of interest regarding community pharmacy practice advancement.
- Develop a poster to showcase a vision for the future of community pharmacy and a career development plan in community pharmacy.
Student Eligibility
Qualified applicants will meet the following requirements. Applicants must:
- be enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program at an AACP member institution;
- be enrolled in an anticipated graduation class of 2028;
- be in good academic standing in the Pharm.D. program;
- have a strong interest in enhancing their skills and preparation for a career in community pharmacy practice;
- submit a completed application by the deadline; and
- agree to abide by the terms in the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars Guide, including mandatory attendance at the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting.
All eligible students are invited to apply. No more than one student will be accepted per institution.
Student Expenses
The student’s college or school of pharmacy must agree in advance to provide funding in the form of a fixed stipend or reimbursement model to cover the student’s transportation, lodging to the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting, if accepted. AACP will cover the expenses associated with creating group posters for the 2026 meeting as well as provide complimentary registration to the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting. The estimated costs can be found in the Program Guide.
Mentorship
Through this program, students will have the opportunity to learn from two distinct mentors, one from within their own institution (the faculty mentor) and one within a local community pharmacy practice site identified by the student, their community practice mentor or AACP (the practice mentor).
- The faculty mentor commits to working with the student as they explore community pharmacy practice advancement for the duration of the program. They ensure that the student is prepared for each of their group meetings and provides feedback regarding the student's program deliverables.
- The practice mentor commits to working with the student in the environment of their community practice site, immersing the student in the day-to-day responsibilities of a community pharmacist. In addition to this, they assist the student with designing a project around community pharmacy practice advancement that would be applicable to advancing the transformation of the community pharmacy practice site.
Faculty Mentor Eligibility
Faculty mentors must meet the following requirements:
- the faculty mentor must be a member of AACP and have experience/involvement with research, teaching, service in community pharmacy;
- submit a letter of support on behalf of the student as part of the CPSS application process; and
- agree to abide by the terms in the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars Guide.
- Encouraged to attend the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting.
Practice Mentor Eligibility
Practice mentors must meet the following requirements:
- the practice mentor must have an active community pharmacy practice;
- submit a letter of support on behalf of the student as part of the CPSS application process; and
- agree to abide by the terms in the Community Pharmacy Student Scholars Guide.
- Encouraged to attend the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting.
Mentor Expenses
Faculty and practice mentors are responsible for all expenses associated with participating in the program, including the meeting registration fees and travel expenses for the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting.