Two faculty members at the UNMC College of Pharmacy are expanding their roles.
Drew Prescott, PharmD, has been named new assistant dean for student affairs at the college, effective Nov. 1.
Dr. Prescott succeeds Christopher Shaffer, PharmD, PhD, who served as pharmacy’s associate dean for student affairs for a decade. Dr. Shaffer is stepping aside to devote more time to his role as director of the Child Health Research Institute pediatric pharmacology program. (See sidebar.)
Dr. Prescott said it is an honor to serve the college and students: “I see this position as one who continues to support and advocate for our students in all of the fantastic work they do both in and out of the classroom,” he said. “I look forward to recruiting high quality students to our college, fostering a positive learning environment from their first day through graduation and connecting with them as alumni as they serve patients across the world.”
Dr. Prescott is a clinical assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. He’s been honored as faculty preceptor of the year, with the TOAST award (Toasting Outstanding Acts of Superb Teamwork) by UNMC’s College of Medicine Internal Medicine residency program and was named 2020 Pharmacists Mutual Distinguished Young Pharmacist by the Nebraska Pharmacists Association.
Keith Olsen, PharmD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, said Dr. Prescott was chosen from a field of outstanding candidates, and Dr. Olsen thanked Dr. Shaffer.
“I wish to thank Chris Shaffer for 10 outstanding years of service and his commitment to our students and the college,” Dr. Olsen said. “He has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students. Although he is just moving upstairs, we are going to miss seeing him around the office on a daily basis.”
Dr. Shaffer said he is excited about devoting more time to his CHRI role but will miss seeing the students every day.
“My predecessor, Dr. Charlie Krobot, was an excellent role model that showed me how to be a strong student advocate, and I hope that I was able to carry on his legacy,” Dr. Shaffer said. “Personally, I would hope that the approximately 500 students who I have worked with during my time were able to find their ‘professional voice’ while at UNMC and I was able to play a small role in their success.”
Congratulations, Dr. Shaffer and Dr. Prescott! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Shaffer for the last several years and know how dedicated he was to students as well as to his research efforts.
Congratulations Dr. Shaffer! You will definitely be missed by the Students and the College! Good luck in your new role, I have no doubt you will be as amazing as you always have been.