Adopt A Student

The Foundation Adopt-a-Student program provides an opportunity for student pharmacists to connect with experienced, practicing pharmacy professionals to network, develop potential long-term mentors and gain valuable advice for their future career. The program also provides an opportunity for current practitioners to learn fresh, new ideas from up-and-coming pharmacists and to have an impact on the future of the profession by instilling knowledge in those who are just beginning their journey in pharmacy.

Important Dates

  • January 31, 2026 — Student registration deadline
  • March 8, 2026 at midnight — Pharmacist mentor registration deadline
  • March 9–23, 2026 — Mentor selection window
  • March 24–April 3, 2026 — Final matching work, if needed
  • April 4, 2026 — Assigned match notifications sent to students who did not select a mentor
  • April 18, 2026 — Adopt-a-Student event at the MPA Annual Convention, Saturday morning from 7:00–8:00 am
General Program Information ▼
What is the Adopt-a-Student program?
The Adopt-a-Student program is a mentorship initiative that connects student pharmacists with experienced pharmacy professionals during the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition. The program uses a student-centered matching process where students select mentors based on professional backgrounds and areas of expertise.
When and where is the program held?
The Adopt-a-Student event is typically held on Saturday morning from 7:00 - 8:00 am during the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition at the Lansing Convention Center in Lansing, Michigan.
What's new about the program?
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation reimagined the program with a flipped matching process:
  • Pharmacist mentors sign up first and provide their professional background
  • Students browse a mentor catalog and select the pharmacist who best aligns with their career goals
  • Selection is first-come, first-served during the open selection window
  • This student-centered approach creates better mentor-mentee matches
For Student Pharmacists ▼
Who is eligible to participate as a student?
You must be a Student Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) member to participate in this program and be adopted by a mentor.
How do I sign up as a student?
You can sign up to be adopted as part of your MPA ACE online registration process. To complete your registration, you will typically need to submit the following by the end of January:
  • Your practice area of interest
  • A short biography about yourself (one paragraph, four to five sentences)
  • Your professional goals
  • Why you chose pharmacy as your career path
  • A high-resolution headshot photograph
What volunteer responsibilities do students have?
Student pharmacists who sign up to be adopted are required to serve as an ambassador or perform another volunteer function during the Convention. As part of your registration, you will be asked when you are available to volunteer. MPA personnel will contact you before the Convention with more details about your responsibilities.
How do I select my mentor?
You will receive an email with your personal link to access the mentor catalog. The mentor selection window typically opens in mid-March and lasts about two weeks. During this period, you can:
  • Use your personal link to access the mentor catalog online
  • Browse pharmacist profiles, including work history and areas of expertise
  • Select the mentor who best aligns with your career interests and goals
  • Confirm your choice through the online system
Is mentor selection first-come, first-served?
Yes. Mentor selection operates on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage you to log in as soon as the selection window opens to secure your top choice of mentor.
What happens if I don't select a mentor?
If you do not select a mentor during the selection window, one will be assigned to you. You will still be matched with a pharmacist mentor.
When will I be notified of my mentor match?
You will receive your match notification shortly after you select your mentor. The notification will be sent via email and will provide your mentor’s name and contact information. Students who do not select a mentor and are assigned one will typically receive their match notification in early April.
What are the benefits of participating as a student?
Students receive several valuable benefits:
  • $50 reimbursement toward your ACE Convention registration cost
  • Tickets to the Saturday morning Miniature Golf Tournament event with light breakfast (7:00 - 8:00 am)
  • One-on-one mentorship from an experienced pharmacy professional
  • Networking opportunities and professional development
For Pharmacist Mentors/Parents ▼
How can pharmacists participate as mentors?
Pharmacists may sign up to adopt a student pharmacist as part of their MPA Annual Convention & Exposition registration. The contribution to support one student pharmacist is $150, which is a tax-deductible donation to the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation.
What is the deadline to sign up as a mentor?
The deadline to sign up is typically in the first week of March. Pharmacists must complete their registration before this deadline to be included in the mentor catalog that students will browse.
How does the $150 contribution support students?
Your $150 tax-deductible donation is generally allocated as follows:
  • $50 reimburses the student for part of their ACE registration cost
  • The remainder supports the MPF Adopt-a-Student program and the foundation’s mission, "To Foster the Future of Pharmacy"
Will I receive a tax receipt?
Yes. Your Adopt-a-Student contribution is a tax-deductible donation to the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation. A receipt will be provided during the signup and payment process for tax purposes.
What information do I need to provide when signing up?
When you register as a mentor, you will complete a profile that includes your work history and areas of expertise. This information will be displayed in the mentor catalog that students browse when making their selections. Providing detailed, relevant information helps students identify mentors who align with their career interests.
How are students matched with mentors?
This program uses a student-centered matching process. After pharmacists register, students browse a mentor catalog and select the pharmacist who best fits their interests and career goals. Selection is first-come, first-served during the mentor selection window. If there are insufficient mentor selections, final matching work typically occurs in late March.
What benefits do mentors receive?
Participating mentors receive:
  • Tickets to the Saturday morning Miniature Golf Tournament event with light breakfast for both you and your student (7:00 - 8:00 am)
  • The opportunity to mentor and inspire the next generation of pharmacy professionals
  • A meaningful connection with a student pharmacist
  • Tax-deductible contribution recognition
Am I expected to stay in contact with my student after the Convention?
Adopting pharmacists are encouraged to remain in contact with their students following the Convention to continue building a mentorship experience. While not required, ongoing mentorship often leads to lifelong involvement in MPA and provides significant value to student development.
Can I adopt more than one student?
The goal is to encourage as many pharmacists as possible to adopt a single student in order to maximize the time and quality of the mentoring experience during the ACE Convention. This one-to-one approach ensures more personalized attention and meaningful connections.
Matching Process ▼
How does the mentor selection process work?
The matching process typically follows these steps:
  • Pharmacist mentors register by the first week of March and complete their profiles
  • Students register by the end of January with their information and interests
  • The mentor catalog becomes available to students in mid-March
  • Students browse mentor profiles and select their preferred mentor during the selection window
  • Students receive match notifications shortly after selecting their mentor
  • Final matching work occurs for unmatched students in late March
  • Assigned match notifications are sent in early April
How do I access the mentor catalog?
You will receive an email with your personal link to access the mentor catalog. During the selection window, you can follow these steps:
  • Check your email for the personal link to the mentor catalog
  • Log in using your email address
  • Browse the mentor catalog
  • Click “Select” on your preferred mentor
  • Confirm your choice
Will I receive confirmation of my mentor selection?
Yes. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after your selection has been accepted by the system. This match notification will include complete mentor contact information so you can begin connecting with your mentor.
Meeting and Connection ▼
How do I meet my mentor/student at the Convention?
Member student pharmacists who sign up to be adopted will be provided with the name and contact information of their mentor prior to the event. You can make arrangements to meet at the Convention. We recommend coordinating via email or phone before the event to plan your meeting time and location.
What is the Miniature Golf Tournament and Breakfast event?
The Miniature Golf Tournament and Breakfast is a Saturday morning event (7:00 - 8:00 am) that provides a relaxed, engaging setting for mentors and students to connect in person and begin building their mentorship relationship. A light breakfast will be provided during the event. Both you and your matched student or mentor receive tickets to this event as part of the program.
What opportunities do mentors and students have to connect?
The program provides multiple connection opportunities:
  • Saturday morning Miniature Golf Tournament with light breakfast (7:00 - 8:00 am)
  • Throughout the Convention sessions and events
  • Ongoing communication after the Convention (encouraged)
Important Dates & Deadlines ▼
What are the key dates for the program?
Mark these general timeframes on your calendar:
  • End of January – Student registration deadline, including biography, headshot, and interest information
  • First week of March – Pharmacist mentor registration deadline
  • Mid-March – Mentor selection window typically opens
  • Late March – Final matching work, if needed
  • Early April – Assigned match notifications are typically sent
  • Mid-April – Adopt-a-Student event at the MPA Annual Convention
Contact Information ▼
Who do I contact with questions or concerns?
Please feel free to reach out to Sarah Hill at sarah2950@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns about the Adopt-a-Student program.
Where can I find more information or register?
For additional information and to register:

Thank you for participating in the Adopt-a-Student program.

Together, we are building the future of pharmacy in Michigan.