Spring 2007 - Purdue College of Pharmacy - Purdue University

L to R: Jackie Jimerson, Director of
Multicultural Programs; student panelists
Mink Wungwattana (1st prof. year),
Michael Rodriguez (3rd prof. year),
and Brad Given (4th prof. year);
Dean Craig Svensson; Provost Sally Mason;
Jane Krause, Course Coordinator;
and student panelist Brenda McLaurine
(3rd prof. year)
S T
CULTURAL
U D E N T S D I S C U S S
Self-Awareness
A NEW LECTURE was presented
in PHPR 100 on October 18, 2006.
Approximately 475 pre-pharmacy
students are enrolled in this pharmacy
orientation course, thus providing the
perfect venue to address the topic of
cultural differences.
The lecture entitled “Developing Cultural
Self-Awareness” was developed by
course coordinator Jane Krause, Clinical
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice,
and Jackie Jimerson, Director of
Multicultural Programs. The goal of the
lecture was to develop cultural awareness
and increase students’ knowledge
of cultural competence by: 1) defining
culture, 2) explaining the importance
of self-assessment in achieving cultural
awareness, and 3) describing how
culture can impact interactions with
others.
The two arranged for Dean Craig
Svensson and Provost Sally Mason
to address the students with opening
remarks, and then a student panel
made up of four PharmD students led a
discussion about the content addressed
in the film “A World of Difference;
Expanding Your Cultural Awareness”
shown in class. All class participants
were responsible for completing a
student self-reflection assignment
at the end of the lecture.
Feedback about the lecture was
solicited, and over 100 handwritten
comments were received—overall very
positive and constructive. Many comments
praised the student panel for
discussing the topic with such honestly
about their personal experiences and
how it offered a peer’s perspective on
culture. Among some of the other comments
were:
• I am an international student, and this
lecture was (exactly) about what I have
experienced for a few years. I’ve met many
students having different nationalities and
cultures—they just have different ways of
expressing themselves. This lecture was
interesting for me.
• Very good lecture. Cultural awareness
is vital to leadership roles like pharmacy.
Leaders do not let differences get in the
way of succeeding.
• I learned more about how other cultures
live, how they are different, and how
we have to learn to strengthen ourselves
and the community.
• Good information. Provost Mason did
a wonderful job. She left me feeling like
maybe I should be more aware of how I
act toward others and how I react to them.
“I believe the lecture was very successful
and beneficial for the pre-pharmacy
students, and it was a pleasure
working with everyone,” comments
Krause. Following the course completion,
Provost Mason was presented
with a “Thank You Memory Book”
which highlighted the lecture. “The
community at Purdue is made up of
many nationalities, and it is extremely
important for our students to understand
how to interact with one another
and respect our differences,” says Mason.
“The more we can learn to work together,
the better we will all succeed. I was
very pleased to be invited to speak
about this topic.”
Keynote speaker Provost Mason is presented with
a “Thank You Memory Book” by student panelists
Michael Rodriguez and Brenda McLaurine