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This time of year can bring out the best in us. A season of being thankful and giving to others that always seems to warm the heart. Three 91���� School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences professors have proved, though, that they don’t need it to be the holiday season to give back and help others.

Over the last few years, Clinical Associate Professors Erin Pauling, Sarah Lynch and Emily Leppien have stepped up in a variety of ways. Dean and SUNY Distinguished Professor Kanneboyina Nagaraju says building a new school requires faculty to contribute in ways that go well beyond their formal job descriptions. These three have done just that.

“Sarah, Erin and Emily joined us as junior faculty immediately after completing their residency training and have played a significant role in the school’s growth from its inception,” Nagaraju said. “Their dedication to our school and to our students is truly commendable. Now, as senior faculty, they serve as outstanding role models for our next generation of colleagues, and I am deeply grateful for their leadership.”​

One of the areas that needed a helping hand was the Office of Experiential Education (OEE), and Leppien said she is honored to be an advisor/consultant to OEE.

“My involvement with OEE over the past several months has given me renewed purpose and energy, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support experiential education in a substantive and impactful way,” Leppien said.

While it was a new role for her, Leppien understands its importance to the students and the school overall.

“In this role, I have been actively engaged in aligning and strengthening experiential education resources, supporting accreditation efforts and collaborating with faculty to strengthen experiential structures, documentation and evaluation processes,” Leppien said. “This work is critical to the continued success of our students and school, and provides valuable personal and professional development that I will carry forward as I continue my career in higher education.”

Lynch has helped with developing and implementing much of the school’s curriculum, assessment policies and procedures since it first opened in 2016. She’s recently taken on the role of Officer in Charge of Academic Affairs to help the school while others are away.

“When Dean Raju reached out to me, I agreed to help in part because others have stepped up to help me when I needed it,” Lynch said. “This role has been a new challenge, but it has built on my previous experience.”

Pauling has been a real “people’s person” for the school. She makes sure to be available whenever someone needs it, because the culture at SOPPS is important to her.

“I care about encouraging students as they navigate challenges, supporting colleagues in their work and making sure the systems we have in place are fair and transparent,” Pauling said. “When people feel supported and respected, they are able to do their best work.”