Rita is graduating from the School of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy. Throughout her career at UConn, she has not only shown excellent academic ability but has also held many leadership titles including Co-Chair and Ambassador for the School of Pharmacy Student Ambassador Program and Pre-Pharmacy First Year Experience Mentor. In the nomination for this award, Dr. Philip Hritcko (School of Pharmacy Dean) wrote on these many roles, saying Rita “performed these leadership functions extremely well because of her experience and driven nature to excel.”

Both of these characteristics, as well as many more, have made her a dependable and invaluable ambassador to the School of Pharmacy’s current and prospective students, faculty, and staff. As a student, she has been on the School of Pharmacy Professionalism Committee, Dean Search Committee, and Pharmacy Leaders Track—a specialized track that engages students in government, advocacy, and industry leadership roles.

Outside of the UConn community, Rita’s engagement with pharmaceutical health continues, as she interns at Walgreens and Charles River Community Health Center in Massachusetts. Her honorable character is demonstrated by the many awards she has received: the UConn School of Pharmacy Student Ambassador Award, Jerry and Babs Weitzman Memorial Scholarship, Walgreens Pharmacy Scholarship, and School of Pharmacy Faculty and Staff Scholarship. After graduating, Rita will explore careers in the pharmaceutical industry and later become a medical science liaison, serving as both a scientific expert and resource on upcoming advances in treatments.