Historically Black Alabama State University has entered into an agreement with South University in Savannah, Georgia, that will provide a seamless avenue for Alabama State University students to study and receive a doctoral degree in pharmacy from South University.
Data shows that at present, only 7.6 percent of the registered pharmacist in the nation are members of a minority community. In 2023, only 143 pharmacy students in the U.S. are African-American.
Gilbert Singletary, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at South University, stated that “it is an important issue for South University to increase the number of minority students in our pharmacy program and thus, increase the number of African-American pharmacists in the nation. At present, America is not very inclusive.”
“Helping bridge the gap for our students to have enhanced professional careers by receiving, in this case, a doctorate in pharmacy, is the purpose of this academic agreement between our two universities,” said Carl S. Pettis, provost at Alabama State University. “One of our main goals at ASU is to enrich the academic lives of our students and for ASU to expand educational opportunities by better defining pathways for their success in life.”