Recognize leaders in the profession | Cultivate leadership development |Inspire transformational change

In 2025, Phi Lambda Sigma proudly celebrates its 60th Anniversary—a significant milestone that offers a moment to reflect on our journey, honor our achievements, and recognize the leaders who have shaped our Society. Milestone anniversaries like this are more than commemorations; they’re opportunities to evaluate our progress, learn from the past, and use those lessons to guide future leadership.

As leaders, taking time to pause and celebrate successes is essential—yet often overlooked. Recognizing wins fosters a sense of camaraderie, fuels momentum, and cultivates a culture of positivity within leadership teams.

Looking ahead, the United States will celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. In preparation, many organizations have joined the America 250 Campaign, a non-partisan initiative that honors America’s rich history while looking toward its future. Aligned with the national celebration, the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) has chosen its message as “Pharmacy Collaborating for a Healthy America.” On May 21, 2025, JCPP member organizations were invited to engage in the Semiquincentennial with three core goals:

1. Celebrate Our Semiquincentennial
2. Collaborate in Civic Engagement
3. Commemorate Pharmacy Milestones

For this year’s Leadership Challenge, the PLS Board of Directors encourages chapters to participate in the America 250 Campaign by recognizing civic heroes within the pharmacy profession and highlighting key pharmacy milestones. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Connect with state pharmacy organizations to explore key advocacy efforts, reflect on historical milestones, and honor influential leaders.
• Research Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in your state and their contributions to professional development and leadership.
• Examine the impact of service-based pharmacy organizations within your region.
• Conduct interviews with past civic leaders—such as Bowl of Hygeia recipients or other honorees—to learn about their personal impact on the profession.
• Seek out untold stories or those of historically marginalized voices who have contributed to shaping the pharmacy profession in ways that have often gone unrecognized or overlooked.

After gathering your insights, creatively present your findings. Consider formats such as:

• A written report or commemorative newsletter.
• A targeted social media campaign.
• An oral history collection.
• Videos or multimedia presentations.
• A unique combination of all of the above.
• Or other creative ideas from your chapter.

Additionally, PLS encourages chapters to submit key historical findings to the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy (AIHP) through a nomination form (Appendix A).  AIHP will be reviewing nominations and using this data to create an Internet-accessible map and archive of pharmacy history.

Chapters are strongly encouraged to collaborate with other chapters within their state to submit joint, state-specific projects.

 A Special Message to Epsilon Nu, Our First International Chapter:  Although this year’s challenge is inspired by America’s 250th celebration, the spirit of honoring your country’s pharmacy history and leaders applies just as strongly to Canada. We look forward to your unique contributions as you highlight your own national pharmacy milestones and civic heroes!

Let this year’s Leadership Challenge be an opportunity to celebrate, collaborate, and commemorate —together.

Leadership Challenge Proposal Guidelines

Your Leadership Challenge proposal should include the following components (captured on the electronic submission form):

1. List of Participating PLS Collegiate Chapters (Collaborative Chapter Submission)
   List all Phi Lambda Sigma collegiate chapters participating in the collaboration. For each chapter, include the name and email of a designated student point of contact as well as the name and email of the chapter advisor.
2. Defined Roles and Responsibilities (Collaborative Chapter Submission)
   Clearly outline the specific responsibilities of each chapter to ensure equitable participation and demonstrate meaningful collaboration.
3. Chapter Goals and Project Timeline
   Describe your chapter’s goals and provide a detailed timeline for project completion. Goals should follow the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
4. Collaboration Strategy
   Include a plan for how your chapter will engage with other pharmacy organizations, academic institutions, or community partners throughout the project. Chapters are encouraged to list collaborators by name.
5. Creative Presentation of Findings
   Develop and describe innovative ways to share your chapter’s findings. Presentations should reflect the themes of the Leadership Challenge by: Celebrating the Semiquincentennial (or Canada’s rich pharmacy history for Epsilon Nu), Promoting civic engagement, Commemorating state- or region-specific pharmacy milestones
6. Communication Strategy

Include a plan for how your chapter will share your final project with others (i.e., faculty, alumni, student pharmacists not in PLS).

Proposals should demonstrate thoughtful planning, creative execution, and meaningful collaboration across all participating chapters.

Awards

Leadership Challenge proposals will be evaluated in one of two categories:

1. Individual Chapter Submission:  The top proposal will be awarded $500.
2. Collaborative Chapter Submission:  Collaborating chapters will share a total award of $1,000, to be equally distributed among all participating chapters.

The top three proposals in each category will be invited to deliver a 5-minute presentation highlighting their efforts at the 2026 PLS Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The winning submission in each category will be selected through a popular vote by attending chapter delegates.

Submission

Please submit one electronic SUBMISSION FORM by Sunday, January 25th, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.  Chapters submitting a Collaborative Chapter Proposal should only submit one proposal for all participating chapters.  Questions may be directed to awards@philambdasigma.org.  

Leadership Challenge 2025-2026 Document