Completing the PC3 set HFC student Lauryn Bolden on pharmacy career path
HFC chemistry instructor Chuck Irish encouraged Lauryn Bolden to enroll in the Pharmacy Community College Connect (PC3) program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor this summer, which supported her decision to pursue a career in pharmacy, and particularly pharmacogenetics.
“I really enjoyed the experience. The knowledge that I gained at PC3 was invaluable,” said Bolden, a lifelong Detroiter. “I knew I wanted to study medicine when I was in high school. When I transitioned to college, I wanted to work as a pharmacy tech to see what pharmacists do. I’ve seen them in retail and hospital settings. I liked the hospital setting better. What I like the most about pharmacy is you don’t always see the same cases.”
She continued: “At PC3, they showed us the different roles pharmacists play. Most people think they just work in a retail or hospital setting, but they play a big part in research and ambulatory care. I got to speak to a student at PC3 who was talking about pharmacogenetics, where you see how the patient’s DNA affects whether the medicine prescribed to them will benefit them or not. I found that fascinating. I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
Big family, big dreams
A graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Bolden is the youngest of seven. She is currently working toward her associate degree in pre-pharmacy at HFC (two of her brothers, Anthony and Lloyd, also attended HFC) and will graduate in 2025.
Bolden is attending HFC through the Detroit Promise. She has worked closely with Detroit Promise Transition Specialist Reco Spencer and Detroit Promise Campus Success Coach Delphine Davis.
Founded in 2016, Detroit Promise is a tuition-free college program, ensuring that any student graduating from any high school in Detroit will have a tuition-free path to an associate degree or technical certificate. The city of Detroit pays for tuition and fees, as long as all requirements are met. Detroit Promise is administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber in partnership with colleges such as HFC. A proud participant since the beginning, HFC has the largest number of Detroit Promise students in the state.
After she graduates from HFC, Bolden plans to continue her education at either U-M or Wayne State University, where she will major in pharmacy. She hopes to earn a doctoral degree down the line.
"Awesome, refreshing, wonderful, magnificent, intelligent, funny, and driven,” said Spencer. “Lauryn is like a best friend you didn't know you needed. She is wise and motivated to succeed."
HFC's encouraging faculty inspire her to succeed
Bolden has enjoyed her time at HFC, where she is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
“Each professor I’ve had here has been good. Chuck Irish recommended me for PC3. They have all been very encouraging, which is what I like about HFC the most,” she said. “I feel like I’m more mature than I was in high school by coming to HFC. HFC has made me become more verbal and more assertive; I’ve learned to express myself more.”
HFC biology instructor Dr. Gregory Karapetian said it was a pleasure to have Bolden in class.
“Lauryn is persistent,” said Karapetian. “She is not shy about facing difficult work. She willingly takes it head on, whether it’s asking questions for clarification or staying late in the lab to ensure she understands the material. She has the drive educators love to see in students. Lauryn is polite, kind, and intelligent. She is definitely going places in life. I am proud of everything she has accomplished and look forward to seeing where she will land and who she will become.”