Effective Leadership and Advocacy: Amplifying Professional Citizenship

Abstract

Objectives. Effective Leadership and Advocacy is an elective implemented to develop doctor of pharmacy students' leadership and political advocacy. Students learn various leadership and organizational management skills and gain direct experience in the political process and community action through service-learning activities. Design. Students attend classes and participate in individual and group assignments for required and elective elements. The fall 2003 course involved synchronous teaching with Virginia Commonwealth University doctor of pharmacy students and faculty. Assessment. To demonstrate achievement of course objectives, students were required to submit portfolios documenting their participation in key activities. Student performances during group debates and class discussion (participation and professional behavior) were also assessed. Conclusions. During 3 offerings at Maryland, the course has increased student and faculty member participation in statewide advocacy for pharmacy education and ...