Research and innovation at Western New England University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are gaining national attention, with recent honors highlighting both faculty scholarship and student impact.

At the 2026 Online Learning Consortium Innovate Conference, faculty member Janet Kennedy was recognized with a Best-in-Track Award for her research on advancing online learning in pharmacy education. Her work explores new strategies to enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes—an increasingly critical focus as healthcare education continues to evolve.

In a complementary example of research impact, a research team from WNE’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences earned second place in the Academic Research Awards at the 28th Annual American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Northeast Regional Discussion Group (NERDG) meeting, held in Groton, Conn. on March 30. The highly regarded regional conference brings together scientists, faculty, and industry professionals to showcase advances in drug delivery and pharmaceutical research.

Together, these recognitions underscore a defining aspect of the WNE experience: the integration of teaching, research, and real-world application. Faculty-led scholarship informs the classroom, while students gain hands-on experience working alongside mentors on meaningful projects that address current challenges in healthcare.

For students, these opportunities are transformative. Engaging in research builds critical thinking, strengthens technical skills, and prepares graduates to enter a complex and rapidly changing healthcare environment with confidence.

As the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences continues to build momentum, its faculty and students are not only earning recognition—they are helping shape the future of healthcare through discovery, innovation, and education.