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Two Kentucky State University graduates will soon begin pharmacy school.

Erin Brown ’18 and Ja’Nice Smith ’15 were both recently accepted into the PharmD professional program in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky.

“I was overjoyed and filled with so much excitement about moving to the next chapter in my educational career,” Smith said. “I love reading and learning new things. I’ve been working as a certified pharmacy technician for four years, so I knew this was the path I wanted to take.”

Brown said she was proud of herself for getting accepted after working so hard for so long.

“I finally got into the school I always wanted to go to and I’m very excited,” Brown said.

Smith said Dr. Suzette M. Polson, associate professor of chemistry, helped her immensely in charting her career.

“During my sophomore year, we talked extensively about my career path,” Smith said. “Dr. Polson thought that pharmacy was a good fit and she is the reason why I started as a pharmacy technician and why I graduated with a bachelor’s in chemistry and a bachelor’s in biology.”

Smith said Dr. Avinash Tope, Dr. Nancy Wallin, Dr. Kazi R. Javed and Dr. Robert Mania were a great influence on her, as well.

Brown also noted the influence of Polson during her time at Kentucky State.

“She knew I was having some personal issues with my mother being diagnosed with breast cancer,” Brown said. “Dr. Polson helped me any way she could when I was struggling with understanding the lessons or homework. She influenced me to do my best.”

Brown also acknowledged Dr. Rita Sharma, Bruce Griffis, Li Lu and Wallin.

Brown and Smith will begin in the fall semester of 2019.