Keck Graduate Institute and the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) formalized a pathway for students from the district’s three colleges — Moreno Valley College (MVC), Norco College, and Riverside City College — to transition to KGI’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at last week’s RCCD Board of Trustees Meeting.
President Mohamed Abousalem, Provost and Vice President Megan Prosser, School of Pharmacy Dean Derick Han, and Director of Recruitment and Outreach Johnny Lacey were at the meeting, with President Abousalem signing the agreement alongside RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac. This is the first community college district KGI has created a PharmD pathway with, growing KGI’s network of community college collaborations across Southern California. Through its CC to PharmD pathway, KGI enables students to complete prerequisite coursework at a community college and transition directly into its PharmD program, helping make the profession more accessible.
“KGI is proud to partner with RCCD to create a more accessible pathway for students to pursue careers in pharmacy,” said Abousalem. “We look forward to welcoming more RCCD students to KGI and preparing them to serve patients and help heal and uplift communities throughout the Inland Empire.”
Through this pathway, RCCD students at the three colleges gain access to a range of admissions and financial benefits. Eligible students who meet KGI’s requirements and achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will receive a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to the PharmD program. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may also qualify for a TAG scholarship of up to $20,000. Additional benefits include an application fee waiver, expedited application review, and access to select KGI summer programs.
“As President of Moreno Valley College, I celebrate this new partnership, especially given that partnerships have always proven the ultimate catalysts for progress in our great society," said Rudy Besikof. “This is not only about providing educational and workforce opportunity, but a community college pipeline to this Doctor of Pharmacy Degree means that MVC, the greater Riverside Community College District and Keck Graduate Institute are doing their parts to advance standards of health and living in the Inland Empire, the true jewel of California.”
“This partnership creates new opportunities for our students to envision and pursue careers in healthcare, with a clear pathway from community college to advanced education," said Norco College President Monica Green. "As Norco College prepares to open our new Center of Human Performance and Kinesiology in summer 2027, we are continuing to expand opportunities for students interested in the many disciplines that contribute to health and well-being. Our partnership with KGI adds another important pathway, providing students pursuing pharmacy with advising, mentorship, financial support, and a connection to graduate-level education.”
Students can learn more about the pathway and available opportunities by visiting KGI’s CC to PharmD webpage.