By Joan Tupponce

As she prepared to enter her senior year at Virginia Commonwealth University, Kashaf Baig found that she wanted to test her preparedness for the rigors of dental school, her planned destination after she completes her undergraduate studies next May. Fortunately, VCU’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program offered an ideal way to do that.

“I was looking for a new challenge. I’ve done the research, the clinical work, the volunteering, but I still felt like I needed something to push me further and give me that extra confidence in where I’m headed,” said Baig, who is majoring in health, physical education and exercise science with a concentration in health science in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences.

The Summer Academic Enrichment Program, currently in its 13th year, is a six-week collective of academic, clinical, community service and social activities for pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-pharmacy and pre-physical therapy students. The program is organized and implemented by the VCU P.A.T.H.S. office in collaboration with partners.

“Our program is intricately planned to be a reflection of the first year of dental, medical, pharmacy and physical therapy schools,” said Ray Allan Fredericks, coordinator for SAEP.

On average, the program has 50 participants each year. Over half of that number go on to graduate each year with doctoral degrees in health care.

Participants learn beyond the program’s assessments, tests, presentations and grades.

“At the end of the six weeks, what will matter most is what they have learned about themselves,” Fredericks said. “Their ability to recognize themselves as a resilient, compassionate, critical thinking, team-player/leader who has the motivation to endure will be the measure of your success.”

Complementary programs

The SAEP program is promoted to students by the student-led VCU PRIME (Pre-Health and Related Interests Mentoring Experience) program.

PRIME focuses on helping students “navigate the complexity of college life and career preparation by connecting them with peer leaders, faculty and professionals in the health care field,” said Monique Sample, student programs and employer partnership specialist for VCU Career Services in Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success.

Since 2020 when PRIME began, eight of its executive board members have participated in the VCU SAEP program and five in the University of Virginia School of Medicine Summer Medical Leadership Program.

This year six members of VCU PRIME’s executive board student leaders were selected to participate in the two programs, four at VCU and two at UVA.

“To have six student leaders from one organization represented across these two prestigious pipelines into medicine and health care is not only remarkable, but also a true testament to the strength, determination and promise of these future changemakers,” Sample said.

Baig, who is from Fairfax, had been interested in both PRIME and SAEP since her freshman year.

“Getting into the SAEP program and completing it successfully was something I saw as a real milestone. It felt like the perfect next step,” she said, adding she came to VCU because she  “wanted to be in an environment where all my skills would be tested academically, professionally and personally.”

Studying for the field of dentistry isn’t just about preparation, she adds.

“It’s about proving to myself that I belong in this field. SAEP gave me that space to grow, and it helped me feel more ready than ever for what’s ahead,” she said. “It was a full-on experience of growth in every direction,”

Community engagement’s central role in the learning experience

One of the most meaningful parts of the program for Baig was providing general preventive checkups for unhoused members of the community that included blood pressure screenings, foot mobility and sensation tests, and glucose checks.

“It was an eye-opening experience that grounded our learning in service,” she said.

VCU senior Oniya Smith, whose goal is to work as a physician in a diverse community, also enjoyed the community health hub event in her SAEP program.

“It showed me how much VCU wanted to give back to the community, and in turn, I gained even more appreciation for the campus and more knowledge about how to interact with patients from all walks of life,” said Smith who is majoring in philosophy with a concentration in science in the College of Humanities and Sciences.

She came to VCU after learning about the resources the university offered students in STEM.

“I admired how the SAEP program really helped undergrads and recent grads get a grasp on what their graduate school could look like, with the classes we took, the events we had and the people we met,” said Smith, who grew up in Spotsylvania.

Baig’s biggest takeaway wasn’t just academic – it was about lifestyle.

“This program taught me that time management, self-discipline and prioritizing yourself aren’t optional – they’re essential,” Baig said. “It’s okay not to understand everything right away, but don’t run from what’s hard. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the small things we do for ourselves, consistently, will carry us further than we think.”