The Hampton University School of Pharmacy was recently recognized, by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)  and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, for its educational partnership with the Norfolk Technical Center. Norfolk Technical Center houses the only Virginia Board approved pharmacy technician program in a public high school system in Hampton Roads. The goal of the partnership is to build a pipeline of students who want to further their education and pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Hampton University.

HU School of Pharmacy Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Corinne Ramaley, has served on the advisory board for the pharmacy technician program at Norfolk Technical Center, within Norfolk Public Schools, since 2010. Crystal Stokes received the VDOE Career and Technical Education “Creating Excellence Award,” in the individual teacher category, for the Hampton University/Norfolk Technical Center Pharmacy Technician Partnership. Stokes is the pharmacy instructor in the School of Health Occupations at Norfolk Technical Center.

The partnership with Norfolk Technical Center is a component of the HU School of Pharmacy’s strategic plan to enhance recruitment of high school students to HU’s pre-professional pharmacy program. Students in this high school program are eligible for Virginia Pharmacy Technician State Licensure and national certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).  McDonnell and the VDOE acknowledged three exemplary career and technical programs, and outstanding work of private sector and local educators.

“We are honored to have received recognition from the Virginia Department of Education for our partnership with Norfolk Technical Center. Together we are able to encourage young students to further their education and to pursue a career in pharmacy,” Ramaley said.  “The relationship has been, and will continue to be, a rewarding and fruitful partnership for our School.”