As the academic advisor for the College of Pharmacy, Leslie Standridge strives to ensure that students feel welcome. Each day, she provides a listening ear to students so that they can put their best foot forward.
“I never want anybody to come in my door and not feel welcome,” she said.
Standridge’s path to the College of Pharmacy wasn’t exactly linear. Growing up in Douglas, she wanted a change from the small-town life. In 2005, she and a friend from her hometown set out to see three cities.
“Our plan was to be here for three months, go to Boston for three months, then go to New York and stay three months,” Standridge said. “But once I moved up here, I stayed.”
Upon staying in Athens, she decided to see what job opportunities the University of Georgia had to offer. Standridge began working at the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005 and served in various roles before transferring to the College of Pharmacy in 2013. She was an administrative assistant for five years and became the academic advisor for the college in 2018.
Now, Standridge enjoys contributing to the education of pharmacy students. When students come to her with questions or problems, she does what she can to provide an answer or solution.
“That’s kind of our first conversation when we meet,” Standridge said. “‘Welcome to the College of Pharmacy. This is what we offer. This is who we are, this is who I am, and I’m here to help you.’”
If a student is struggling in a course, she pairs the student with a tutor. If they need a bite to eat on the way to class, she points them to the conference room that she keeps stocked with snacks and coffee.
In 2023, three students approached Standridge with an idea: change the name of the pharmaceutical sciences major to “pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.” They proposed the name change with the hopes of making the program more attractive to interested students as well as internships, jobs and graduate programs.
Standridge worked with the students to submit the proposal to the University Curriculum Committee with the hopes that the name change will be on diplomas for the spring 2025 semester.
“I try to be a voice for the students,” she said. “If they’re having any kind of issues, I want them to come to me so I can help with anything they have.”
Leslie Standridge, left, talks with second year undergraduate student Priya Patel about her class load in her office at the R.C. Wilson Pharmacy Building. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Seeing the students as they grow over their time in the college and make it to graduation day is rewarding.
“When you get them in their freshman year, they come in, they’re not sure what they want to do, where they want to be, or where they see themselves,” Standridge said. “If I can help in any way, lead them on their journey and see them get to where they want to be, I feel good.”
Michelle Ramirez, a fourth-year transfer student in the College of Pharmacy, expressed how valuable Standridge has been during her time at UGA.
“As a transfer student, I didn’t know what I needed to do or what was required of me, especially for this degree, because it’s so niche,” Ramirez said. “But she helped me a lot to get on track to graduate, so I’d say that’s my biggest thank you to her.”
Outside of work, Standridge is a music lover. Though she enjoys all genres of music and goes to as many concerts as she can, she is partial to the rock legends of the ’70s and ’80s like Kiss and Bret Michaels. Standridge attends many concerts in Athens but also enjoys traveling for shows. She’s gone on several cruises for rock fans, and she looks forward to seeing Bret Michaels and other artists perform at a music festival in Mexico later this year.
No matter how far Standridge travels for a performance, she continues to find community and fulfillment here at the University of Georgia.
“I love the community here at the College of Pharmacy, and I always want to make the students feel welcome,” she said. “I enjoy my job and take pride in it.”
