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On Friday, May 9, Jessica Pfeifer will join 53 of her classmates in receiving their hoods at the 2025 Doctor of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony. 

Pfeifer, who will graduate the Doctor of Pharmacy program this year, has been a recipient of the Avera Wokini Scholarship throughout her time at SDSU. The scholarship has enriched and influenced Pfiefer’s education and career as a future pharmacist. 

Pfeifer said that every aspect of the Avera Wokini Scholarship program has positively impacted her college experience. “I met and worked with so many amazing students, staff and faculty in the American Indian Student Center and other areas of campus that I otherwise would not have connected with.” 

Pfeifer, who is from Martin and is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, holds a B.S. in pharmaceutical sciences and will receive her Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) later this week. 

Pfeifer said a highlight of her time in the pharmacy program was her experience spending the last year on rotations. “It’s amazing to see how all the information we’ve been taught over the past few years is utilized to care for patients. I’m grateful to witness firsthand the impact pharmacists can have on patient care, and I cannot wait to do the same for my future patients.” 

“Another highlight of my experience in the SDSU pharmacy program is the connections I’ve made with my classmates. I’ve learned so much from and about everyone I had the chance to be on rotation with,” Pfeifer added. 

Tadd Hellwig, a professor in the SDSU pharmacy program, said Pfeifer was a great student to have in class. “Jessica was always a very engaged student. She participated in class discussions and asked great questions. She is very strong academically and will have a great career.” 

Pfeifer explained that the course requirements for the Avera Wokini Scholarship also led her to pursue a minor in American Indian and Indigenous studies. “This added much-needed variety to my science-based course load with classes focusing on American Indian culture and education, history and modern literature.” 

Marisa Hare, a student success advisor who works in the American Indian Student Center, said Pfeifer has been deeply involved in the Wokini Scholars program over the years and contributed meaningfully to the American Indian Student Center’s programs. “Jess has truly grown during her time at South ��ֱ���� State University and has made a tremendous and positive impact on our campus community.” 

Pfeifer noted that the Avera Wokini Scholarship also enabled her to gain practical experience through an internship where she shadowed pharmacists in the Avera Health system. She said this experience “helped me determine I am interested in working in an ambulatory care or hospital setting, which is part of the reason I applied to complete a pharmacy residency with the Indian Health Service.” 

Following graduation, Pfeifer will complete a pharmacy residency with the Indian Health Service at the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital in Crow Agency, Montana. 

Noting Pfeifer’s success, Hare added, “We at the American Indian Student Center are incredibly proud of her achievements, and we know her journey is just beginning. The sky is truly the limit for Jess, and we can't wait to see where her path leads!" 

Keely Eagleshield, program coordinator for the SDSU Wokini Initiative, said Pfeifer exemplifies the Wokini Scholar program and the possibilities created by the Wokini Initiative. 

“She is creating paths other students can follow, especially American Indian and Indigenous students who can see that higher education is not only a possibility, but an achievable goal. I’m excited to see where Jessica goes and hope she can continue to inspire current and future Indigenous scholars across all of South ��ֱ���� and beyond,” Eagleshield said.