Thanks to the generosity of Alpha Psi alumnus Jack Schlegel and his wife, Priscilla, the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute (PLEI) is pleased to present the annual John F. (“Jack”) Schlegel Leadership Development Award.
Schlegel served as CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy from 1981 – 1984 and CEO of the American Pharmacists Association from 1984-1989. Schlegel is a distinguished leader of the Alpha Psi Alumni Chapter (Class of 1967) and its Foundation.
The John F. (“Jack”) Schlegel Leadership Development Award will bestow a $1,000 honorarium annually to a collegiate Brother of Phi Delta Chi completing his or her final professional year of study. The honoree must demonstrate the potential for exceptional leadership in the profession through exemplary behaviors and actions as a student and professional in training that gain the respect of peers. Each collegiate Chapter of Phi Delta Chi may submit one nomination. NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 AWARD WILL OPEN IN JANUARY 2025.
To be considered, each Nomination Packet should contain: (a) a Personal Data Form, (b) a personal statement, not to exceed 500 words, in which the nominee expresses a vision of what he or she aspires to accomplish within 10 years after graduation, and (c) three letters of recommendation that address the nominee’s potential for exceptional leadership in the profession after graduation. One letter must come from the Chapter Advisor. The PLEI Board of Directors will select the honoree.
In establishing the award, Jack noted that many student pharmacists are so focused on working their way through their educational program that they do not have time to take on formal leadership positions with organizations, but instead demonstrate their potential by exhibiting leadership in other than elected positions. He distinctly wishes all forms of leadership to be considered for this award.
About Nikki Chen, PharmD
Dr. Chen was initiated into the Beta Theta Chapter of Phi Delta Chi at the University of South Carolina in 2020, graduating with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May 2024. She is currently the Regulatory Affairs International and US Policy and
Intelligence Fellow at Eli Lilly & Company. Nikki’s career goals are driven by a steadfast commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement to advance healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation.
Throughout her academic journey, Nikki has been very active with the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, notably serving as the International Standing Committee National Contact Person establishing collaborations across the globe. She was elected into Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Honor Society. Within Phi Delta Chi, she served as the Southeast Regional Correspondent. She also served as a Junior Board Member of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, as the Founding President of the Industry Pharmacists Organization USC Chapter, President of the Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacy, and as the Vice President of her pharmacy class.
Her letters of recommendation recognize Nikki as a creative thinker, effective communicator, and a natural leader with a heart for helping others. Pharmacists extoled her ability to take on new challenges and her work ethic, placing the goals and objectives of teams above her own.
As the recipient of the Schlegel Leadership Development Award, Nikki will receive a crystal award and a $1,000 honorarium.
About John F. (Jack) Schlegel
Dr. Schlegel received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1967 and his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1972 from the University of the Pacific. He received a Master of Science in education at the University of Southern California in 1980. From 1967 to 1975, Schlegel served as Chief Pharmacist, Instructor, and Director of Pharmacy Admissions at the University of Southern California. In 1975 he joined the staff of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and eventually became CEO. Schlegel assumed the role of CEO of the American Pharmacists Association in 1984 when he was just 39 years old, serving until 1989. He then started his own management consulting firm that focused on leadership development and improving the governance and management of non-profit organizations. Over the next 15 years, he worked with more than 350 organizations nationwide. In 2000, when his wife Priscilla retired, they relocated from Washington, DC, to Florida, where they now spend their time enjoying the cultural arts and as major philanthropists in support of them.
About the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute, Inc. (PLEI)
The Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute (PLEI) facilitates engaging professional leader development activities, to enable personal growth that will transform the delivery of healthcare. In 2021, PLEI established its Academy for Leader Development which offers online training to develop leaders, enhance teamwork, and drive success through personal, interactive sessions.
PLEI coordinates the Prescott Pharmacy Leadership Award, Leader Development Seminars, Leader Development Institute, the Lead←Grow→Shape leadership workbook, and other educational events for pharmacists and student pharmacists across the country. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes PLEI as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization; EIN 58-2296988. You can learn more about PLEI at www.plei.org
