For Kierra Koehn, the decision to pursue a career in pharmacy was fueled by a quiet certainty that it was the perfect combination for her love of science, math, and a passion for helping people.

Kierra felt that Chapman University offered a perfect academic fit for her, including an accelerated pathway to her dream career with small class sizes and a tight-knit campus community. “I appreciated the ability to make connections with both faculty and my fellow students early on,” Kierra said. “It’s made a huge difference in my academic and personal growth.”

Beyond earning some of the highest grades of her cohort, Kierra flourished outside the classroom. Joining the pharmacy fraternity Phi Delta Chi, she gained a support system that spanned beyond Chapman. “PDC introduced me to students across the country and gave me a chance to build lasting connections,” she said.

Kierra’s most meaningful impact has been her involvement with the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP). In the 3 short years at Chapman University, Kierra herself or her projects have been recognized state-wide on several occasions. “I knew I wanted to be part of something that advocates for pharmacists in health systems,” she said. “CSHP gave me that opportunity, and more.”

Initially drawn in as an APEx student, Kierra quickly became a fixture in the organization and attended every event she was able to. Kierra served as CUSP’s CSHP chapter president, and also sat on their Student Section Executive Committee for two years. Some of her favorite memories at CUSP are tied to CSHP, including Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual event in May which bridges both CUSP and Crean students, faculty, and staff for engaging activities designed for reflection and mental health fortitude.

Under her leadership, the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week was awarded the CSHP Student Chapter Community Service Project Award. 2024’s Mental Health Awareness Week grew, and included guest speakers, special campus guests, and breakout sessions focused on mindfulness.

In addition to this outstanding award, Kierra was recognized as an individual by CSHP as a recipient of their Student Leadership Award in 2024. “Those awards make me reflect on how far I’ve come, and everyone who’s helped me get here—my family, my professors, my friends,” she said. “It’s also a reminder of the responsibility I have to continue advocating for our profession and inspiring the next generation of pharmacists.”

As Kierra prepares to graduate, she can’t help but be excited for what the future holds for her. “There’s so much we do that the public doesn’t see,” she said. “Pharmacists are the final checkpoint to ensure patient safety, and that role should never be underestimated. Whether we’re in a hospital, clinic, or community pharmacy, we’re making an impact every day.”