Telicia Ward-Thomas

Telicia Ward-Thomas Shares Best Practices for Promoting Student Support & Mentorship at American National University

Originally founded in 1886 as a business school in Roanoke, Virginia, American National University has since expanded to multiple campuses in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, offering a variety of programs in the health sciences including Pharmacy Technician associate degrees and diplomas.

About Telicia Ward-Thomas, ‘Student Champion of the Year’

Telicia Ward-Thomas teaches fully online pharmacy technician courses at ANU. She was most recently named Student Champion of the Year, representing the category of Promoting Student Support & Mentorship as part of the 2024 Golden Goggles awards program.

Telicia has been instrumental in adapting and perfecting her program’s Pharmacy Technician Lab courses. From course restructuring, design, and supplementing learning activities to promoting an environment where students feel comfortable approaching her with academic and personal issues, Telicia’s work goes beyond the classroom and serves to improve student outcomes time and again. She uses these 4 principles to drive student success:

1. Engage students through technology

2. Prepare students for real-world application with hands-on learning

3. Foster student success through mentorship

4. Inspire the next generation

With a unique teaching technique, students who complete her courses come well trained and well rounded, ready for advanced studies and careers as pharmacy technicians.

Tips for Supporting Students & Driving Success

When it comes to driving positive outcomes and student success in her courses, Professor  Ward-Thomas operates her courses based on these 4 tenants.

Engage Students through Technology

Leverage technology to enhance student engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. To do that:

• Use interactive online platforms for real-time feedback and participation.
• Integrate multimedia tools (videos, simulations, and quizzes) to reinforce learning
• Leverage virtual labs that simulate real-world environments and pair those with hands-on labs to further reinforce learning

Use Hands-on Labs to Prepare Students for Real-World Application

Be able to explain and demonstrate how the course content prepares students for practical, hands-on experiences in the pharmacy field. To bridge the gap between theory and practice:

• Design lab activities that mimic real pharmacy technician tasks (e.g., medication preparation, inventory management)
• Collaborate with local pharmacies for externship or observational opportunities
• Develop critical thinking skills through scenario-based learning 

Foster Student Success through Mentorship

Highlight the critical role mentorship plays in student engagement, retention, and professional development. To build a supportive learning environment through mentorship:

• Proactively offer 1-on-1 mentorship opportunities to support academic and career growth
• Create an environment of open communication and a safe space for students to ask questions and seek advice without judgment.
• Offer real-world experiences & practical labs that prepare students for professional roles.
• Establish lasting relationships that extend beyond the classroom and into career development for lasting impact.

Inspire Students for the Next Generation

Be open to sharing personal insights and experiences that highlight the impact of mentorship and education. This works to motivate students and inspire stronger performance while ensuring a bright path forward for students and science education.

• Don’t be afraid to share your own personal stories or those of others who overcame challenges through the support of their educators.
• Encourage all students and fellow colleagues to foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.

For more tips and best practices on supporting students, check out our Peer Learning webinar on demand.