Welcoming the Class of 2027

The new academic year has begun –  time to meet the newest cohort of PharmD students!

Story by Ryan McDaniel | Published August 15, 2027

Beard and Kerr Halls were abuzz with activity on the morning of August 2nd. A new class of 151 students had just arrived to kick off the start of another school year. On the first day of orientation week, students were rotating through locations around both halls – and even outside – to receive their nametags and welcome packets, get headshots taken, collect their stethoscopes, and learn about the many opportunities that come with attending the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

After completing their morning stations, the new cohort settled into Kerr 1001 where Dean Kashuba welcomed them with a quick selfie and brief remarks. “Ask. Ask questions, ask for help, ask for support,” she encouraged them. “Anything you don’t understand, ask and ask again. Our values stand for WE CARE. You are part of our Pharmily.”

These newest Pharmily members come from 28 states, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, China, and Canada.

Fourteen students in the Class of 2027 came through the Early Assurance Program, a program that offers early assurance of admission into the PharmD after a minimum of two years of study and completion of all pre-requisite courses. We’re highlighting a couple of those students here.

Cassidy White
Cassidy comes to us from the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she graduated with a BS majoring in Clinical Research and minoring in Biology. She says her passion for serving and helping others started at a young age. “After doing a semester-long internship at a local independent pharmacy in high school, I found my love for pharmacy and medicine,” Cassidy explains. “Pharmacists are presented with a unique opportunity to use their skills and knowledge to help heal and form connections with people from all walks of life, and that is what I am eager to pursue.”

Elizabeth Haslam
Elizabeth attended Appalachian State University for undergrad. There she did organic chemistry and drug development research for her major, with a minor in Spanish. She was also a LEAD Tutor at App State, helping others enhance their understanding of chemistry. She is excited to have started at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy this year as, in her words, “I believe it is the best place to learn and excel as a future pharmacist!”

Throughout the year, Carolina Pharmacy will introduce you to more members of the Class of 2027 and bring you their stories alongside those of other students. The School is also running a series of profiles on the new students, Part of the Pharmily, which you may find at https://pharmacy.unc.edu/news.

Please join us in welcoming the Class of 2027 to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy! We are thrilled to have you here and look forward to an excellent four years with you showing us the dedication, innovative thinking, grit, and compassion of the world’s future health care practitioners.