As Xavier’s 99th Commencement approaches, members of the College of Pharmacy Class of 2026 are preparing to take the next step in their professional journeys, with many securing placements in competitive postgraduate training programs across the country.

Earlier this spring, fourth-year pharmacy students learned where they will continue their training following graduation through the national Pharmacy Residency Match process. These placements mark a significant milestone as graduates transition from academic study to advanced clinical and professional practice.

“A pharmacy residency is a structured, post-graduate training program that pharmacists can complete after earning their PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree. It’s similar to medical residencies for physicians, but focused on advanced pharmacy practice,” said Dr. Christopher Gillard, Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Pharmacy. “First-year residencies build on the broad clinical pharmacy skills developed during pharmacy school, while second-year residencies allow pharmacists to specialize in a particular area of practice. Pharmacists can also pursue fellowships, which provide professional training often required for careers in the pharmaceutical industry or research.”

Nationally, 4,251 applicants competed for one-year postgraduate year (PGY-1) residency positions, with 76 percent successfully matched. Among Xavier’s Class of 2026, 33 students applied for residencies and fellowships, and 29 were successfully matched. These graduates will continue their training at healthcare institutions across 11 states. In addition, four Xavier College of Pharmacy alumni secured placements in postgraduate year (PGY-2) programs.

“We are proud of our students and alumni who successfully pursued postgraduate residency and fellowship training this year,” said Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. “The match process is highly competitive, and their success reflects a strong commitment to advancing their practice and developing the skills needed to make meaningful contributions to patient care and the pharmacy profession. As we celebrate commencement, we look forward to seeing our graduates continue to grow as leaders who carry forward Xavier’s mission of promoting a more just and humane society.”

Xavier’s College of Pharmacy graduates will continue their training at institutions across 11 states, with placements spanning the South, Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast—including Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, California, Virginia, and Massachusetts—reflecting the national reach and impact of the Class of 2026. For these graduates, commencement marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new chapter defined by continued learning, service, and impact in communities across the nation.