KGI Students Participate in Etiquette and Networking Dinner

On February 2, the KGI Student Government and the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) club hosted an Etiquette Dinner that was open to all KGI students. The event provided attendees an opportunity to learn proper dinner and network etiquette from Barbara Jean Bruin, C.H.E., professional etiquette coach and lecturer at The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona.

The dinner was part of a larger series of professional development events Student Government has offered throughout the year. Associate Director, Student Services, Katrina Nierva explained, “One of Student Government’s main goals this school year was to promote professional development among students because the skills involved can be vital to beginning a successful career. For this, the focus was to hold an event where students could go and learn about dining and networking etiquette from a professional etiquette coach.”

School of Pharmacy student, Wendy Su, of the APhA-ASP club, who was a co-host and co-coordinator, explained the value of the event. “The etiquette dinner was a fun, instructive event designed to help students feel more comfortable with the numerous networking opportunities we have at KGI.”

MBS Student, Heather Petty, who was also a co-host and co-coordinator shared a similar sentiment: “As future professionals who want to change the medical community, the event is something all of us can benefit from greatly. Hopefully, this will be the first of many etiquette dinners we will hold at KGI.”

In total, over 100 students from the School of Applied Life Sciences (SALS) and the School of Pharmacy (SOP) attended the event. The dinner included a three course meal, presentation, and practice time. In discussing the event’s success, Associate Director, Katrina Nierva said: “It says a lot that so many students showed up. Student Government has really taken KGI’s value of fostering an interactive and collaborative learning environment by creating events that truly allow students to translate theory into practice, both in and out of the classroom. I’m glad our office can support and further KGI’s mission through our student organizations.”

Dean of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services at KGI, Sofia Toro explained the event took place during a prime time for students, when they may find they need such skills the most. “Our first Etiquette Dinner was a successful and timely event-just before the students begin their internship and job searches. By creating such an opportunity, we are providing students with key networking, business, etiquette, and soft skills that they need to know in order to be successful.”