Walgreens welcomes inaugural class of Community Practice Shared Faculty members

New program connects students and Walgreens pharmacists to inspire the next generation of community pharmacy leaders.

Walgreens is helping shape the future of pharmacy through the launch of its new Community Practice Shared Faculty program, a first-of-its-kind initiative that connects pharmacy students with Walgreens pharmacists serving as shared faculty members at colleges of pharmacy nationwide. 

The program—developed in collaboration with the Walgreens Deans Advisory Council—underscores Walgreens’ ongoing commitment to rebuilding the talent pipeline and inspiring meaningful careers in community pharmacy.

Bringing classroom learning to life

Walgreens Community Practice Shared Faculty are experienced Walgreens pharmacists and pharmacy managers who spend one day per week on a college campus mentoring and training student pharmacists. Their mission: to bridge academic learning with real-world experience, helping students gain insight into the evolving role of community pharmacists and the impact they make every day in patient care. 

“Community pharmacists are at the heart of patient care, and this program offers a unique opportunity for students to experience that firsthand,” says John Colaizzi, vice president of pharmacy practice at Walgreens. “By connecting our experienced Walgreens pharmacists with pharmacy students across the country, we can cultivate the next generation of pharmacists while ensuring they’re equipped to serve their communities effectively.”

National reach, local impact

In its first year, 21 colleges of pharmacy across the country are participating, including: 

• Belmont University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences 

• Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy 

• St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences 

• University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis 

• University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy 

• University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy 

• Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy 

• Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy 

“Students learn best from those on the front lines,” says Sharrel Pinto, dean of the Belmont University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. “Community pharmacy is often undervalued, but once students will have a chance to learn from the Walgreens’ shared faculty, they will gain a true understanding of how pharmacists improve the health and well-being of their local communities.” 

A broader commitment to the profession

The Shared Faculty program builds on Walgreens’ growing suite of initiatives supporting aspiring pharmacists, including: 

• PharmStart, a fully funded online education program helping eligible team members meet prerequisites for pharmacy school 

• The Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP), offering up to $40,000 in tuition assistance 

• The Student Loan 401(k) Match Program, which helps team members paying off student loans earn their full 401(k) match 

Together, these programs reflect Walgreens’ continued investment in the future of pharmacy—empowering students, supporting our team members and strengthening the communities we serve.