At this writing I am coming off a whirlwind of conference attendance and connection with colleagues. In July I had the privilege of meeting with fellow Big Ten pharmacy deans and attending the annual meetings for both the American Association of the Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP). From practice to policy, accreditation and legislation, and pharmacology and microbial genomics, I had an opportunity to discuss and engage on a wide range of topics that support my efforts in Madison.

The AACP meeting brought a new global twist as the conference partnered with the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada. Several of our faculty attended, contributed, and explored the latest advances in pharmacy education and practice, admissions strategies, and innovative teaching methods.

The ASP meeting focus, “Natural Products Rising to the Top: Exploring the Fundamental Science and Applications of Natural Products in the Modern World,” attracted natural products experts from around the globe. Workshop themes covered the gamut from cancer to cosmetics, mass spectrometry to marine chemical ecology.

The respective conference programs were robust—offering something for everyone and leaving many to make difficult choices on which poster sessions to attend, speakers to learn from, or new technologies and breakthroughs to discover.

As stewards of education it allowed me to pause and reflect on the work we do, embrace initiatives that support the success of our students, celebrate the research and pedagogy of peers, and alumni, and take stock in our impact with prospective and current students, our communities, and the world.

Hope to see you at one of these upcoming events—PSW Annual Meeting in September, or the AAPS Annual Meeting in late October.

On, Wisconsin!

Steven M. Swanson, Dean