In this episode of White Coat Radio, we chat with Steve Ellis, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. After Gatton was founded in 2005, Ellis played a key role in the college’s early development, officially joining in 2008 to lead the Office of Student Affairs. This office supports students throughout their entire journey—from recruitment efforts starting as early as high school, to current student services, and even alumni engagement after graduation. Ellis also serves on the college’s Executive Committee and has held leadership roles at the university level.
Steve recently celebrated his 30th anniversary working at ETSU and was honored with a special scholarship in his name to support students. You can support this scholarship by visiting our Gatton donor page: Under Designation, select "Write In Your Choice," and type in "Steve Ellis Scholarship."
“White Coat Radio” provides listeners with helpful advice, stories, and insights from the faculty, staff, and student pharmacists at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in Johnson City, Tennessee. Hosts Dr. Michele Williams and Stephen Woodward lead this informative and entertaining podcast, with new episodes appearing regularly. This podcast recently landed top spots on multiple national and state charts for pharmacy and education podcasts.
Stephen Woodward:
Steve, thank you for coming to White Coat Radio. It's good to have you.
Steve Ellis:
Well you're welcome. Thank you for the invitation.
SW:
So you recently celebrated 30 years of service at ETSU. So how many years of those have been again?
SE:
Well, I guess it depends exactly how you want to. How you want to count that Gatton is celebrating. You know, as many people know, 20 years from his founding in 2005 and, I've seen all 20 of those years. However, from an absolute official capacity, it's 16. I became the assistant dean for student affairs in 2009.
During the years prior to that, I had been, at first unofficial involved helping the founding dean, Larry Calhoun, with some things. He, you know, we share some office space, if you will. So I would help him with some stuff related to student affairs, and then that morphed a little bit into a formal relationship where I was splitting time 50/50, if you will, between the College of Medicine and the College of Pharmacy.
And for anybody who thinks that sounds great. 50/50 really is [inaudible]. Okay. So don't ever be misled with that idea there. We're going to buy 50% of your time.
Michele Williams:
Don't agree to that too fast.
SE:
Yeah, absolutely. So, and of course, I've enjoyed all my time here at ETSU, but in particular, I've enjoyed my, my time here with the College of Pharmacy. Yeah.
MW:
So how did you wind up coming to Gatton full time? Not 50/50. Can you tell us a story about that?
SE:
Sure, sure. You know, I can tell lots of stories, but I'm actually reminded of this story a little bit in terms of how I came to get. And, every week. So at on interview days, we interview applicants for pharmacy school on Mondays and we show them a brief, you know, video of our history so they can have some understanding of how we got founded and that sort of thing.
And in the video, of course, is, you know, the founding dean is speaking and in his little blurb where he, where he talks about the beginning of the college, he says, well, the first thing that Ron Franks asked me on that very first day, besides, Larry, I hope you can find an office is I hope you can do this. Good luck. And it always reminds me of how I came to Gatton. And because that is how Larry and I met at the time, I was the acting student affairs dean for the College of Medicine and the weekend before, before, Larry Calhoun was to start as the founding dean, Ron Franks and I, who—Ron Franks was the dean of medicine at the time—were coming back from a meeting, and we were on the same flight.
And while we were waiting for our connecting flight, he said, hey, Steve, Larry's going to be starting on Monday, and he doesn't have an office. You think you can help him? And just so happened we had an extra office within Student affairs in the College of Medicine at the time. So I volunteered that space. And as they say that, you know, that was the beginning of a relationship.
So, that how I became initially involved with pharmacy and, and I continued, you know, as I said a moment ago, in terms of kind of a part time relationship, helping to run admissions in particular at that time because, you know, staffing was, you know, was somewhat limited. And I had a lot of experience with medicine, you know, in the admissions processes.
And then when it when the student affairs dean position opened here in the College of Pharmacy, Larry asked if I would take it on an interim basis. So that was in 2008. And then of course, that just more finally in 2009, to be in, you know, officially the student affairs dean in the College of Pharmacy.
So, so a little bit of a, serendipitous type of initial meeting between here and I have led to what's become, I guess, a lifelong kind of love affair in terms of me and the college of pharmacy. Yeah.
SW:
I feel like now, you know, 20 years—we're celebrating our 20th anniversary now. And, you know, the college has raked in all these awards, we're nationally recognized and have a great reputation across the country. But there had to be a lot of fear coming in to a brand new school then—I imagine things were a lot different. Can you kind of talk about that, and maybe some of the apprehension you might have felt or challenges that were there in the early times?
SE:
Yeah, absolutely. As you can imagine, there was a lot of fear and I mean, you're doing things on faith and hope and, you know, all of those sorts of things. And, and I think in particular about our inaugural class of students. But even the first few years of students, because unless you understand the accreditation process, you're not the program does not become fully accredited until you graduate your first class of students.
So there's a four year and, you know, period of time that in theory, everybody's taking a chance. And especially your students. So, so I often time thought about what type of apprehension the applicants, you know, and those who signed on as students, if you will. We're feeling, because we actually had them sign a disclaimer, you know, at the time that they were being that they were being accepted, that in effect, say, well, I understand, you know, that where the college is in terms of accreditation and in effect, you know, we're going to do everything, of course, that we're supposed to do, and we fully expect to to gain.
And obviously, we did. We're still around. But at the same time this could go south. And you can't really blame us, you know, that type of thing. So, so, so not too long ago I came across some of those, those, those signed forms. So, so it brought back memories. And in a way you can think that same thing with all the faculty and staff, you know, who many of whom truly uprooted.
I mean, for me, my uprooting was to cross the sidewalk, but at the same time, you were you were stepping out on faith. But it was such an exciting endeavor, you know? And the people of this region, of course, you know, for those, you know, for those who are familiar with the history of the college is founding, you know, we're just so, so supportive of this college getting started with not only with that money, but really with, with whatever it took.
You know, people came for a pharmacist, came forward to serve as preceptors, and people volunteered in whatever capacity that they could. So so while you were taking the chance, you deep down you knew this was going to work. But then when you think about the awards and recognitions, as you mentioned a few moments ago, obviously none of that was in our minds.
Our mind was to, hey, let's get this college off the ground, you know, make it a quality thing and, and produce pharmacists because at that time there was a huge shortage nationally, but there was a huge shortage, you know, in the region. So basically to serve this region and kind of overcome that shortage. So you're not thinking, you know, past that, you know, at the time.
SW:
Right.
SE:
And obviously we've done we did a good job with that over the years. But I think, you know, you know, kind of to your question of what's changed over the years, in many ways, nothing has changed in terms of that culture. You know, we've always, emphasized the importance of culture here in terms of the workplace.
You know, that it's a good place to, to work and, and a good place for students to learn and, you know, and to just have an overall quality experience. But what you were not prepared for, at least I'll say for me, what I was not prepared for as you grow over the years is growth. And, you know, in the early years, you know, the the thing used to it used to, often time comment, you know, we're like a rowboat, you know, if you're going in one direction and you realize, you know what? This isn't working very well. You just turn, you just turn to rows and you go in a different direction. And you could do that quickly and in a meaningful way.
Whereas, you know, when you start growing in the bureaucracy hits and, and structure and things, you know, it becomes not more challenging necessarily, but it's a very different process to make changes and to affect changes in a quick fashion.
So that's something that I think many times you just you're not you're not aware of it. You don't think about you know, I kind of liken it to an individual who decides to open a business because they love what they do. I love baking, I love painting, you know, whatever it may be. But then all of a sudden it really becomes a business and, you know, and, and the dynamics of that change.
But at the same time, of course, that's exciting because of the growth that's going on in you witnessing, you know, how things are changing. And along with that was coming, you know, the awards they were coming, you know, and the excitement, you know, that was associated with those kinds of thing. That's probably one of the biggest memories that I'll always have was the first time our students won the American College of Clinical Pharmacists, you know, Clinical Skills Challenge. And, you know, streaming was still kind of new at that time. And I can just vividly see us all huddled around one computer in a cubicle. You know, I think.
SW:
I've seen the photo.
SE:
Yes. Yeah. Yes. And, you know, and cheering like we were at a baseball game or something, you know, it was it was really something special, you know. So I'll never forget you know, forget that particular moment in time for sure. Yeah.
MW:
Well that's really so interesting. I didn't know all that about the, the early days of, of Gatton, and so your position here at the college, you're the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and you're a member of the Executive Committee. And so can you tell us a little bit about some of the things that you're responsible for, keeping in mind that we have a time limit, but it's going to take you huge amount of time to say all the things. I'm just kidding. But maybe talk a little bit about your job and the day to day of your job.
SE:
Yeah, sure, be glad to be glad to, to share some of that. Student affairs is a big animal. You know, because it affects you know, so much with, with students, almost anything that's associated with students that's not directly academics, if you will, can fall in that bucket. And sometimes I feel that way.
You know, if the word student gets used and oftentimes they're like, oh, Steve and his staff, you all handle this, you know, but so but it's but it's but it's always a wonderful thing because cause of the students so a lot of what student affairs in general does, of course, is to provide those student services, student support for students, you know, in terms of, just, you know, just being successful, you know, they have enough to do as student.
So if you think of going to pharmacy school and this is how I think of and I think many of us here do that, that's their job. And that's a full time job as being a pharmacy student. So we try to do things to meet the other stuff, you know, as easy as possible. So for example, just getting through financial aid processes, so many of the things that I do and we do in student affairs area, you know, is to provide those services and try to make it as smooth for students so that they can receive the things that they need.
So financial aid, we do those things in-house. You know, we try to take care of, you know, the registrar services and curriculum course, you know, registration related things, not curriculum specifically, but you know, that that they need so that they're not bothered with. Oh, gosh. You know, I forgot to turn a form in or what have you.
But then of course, you know, you know, so managing those things in terms of a day to day, you know, those are the kinds of things that I do. We, we also involved in the, you know, oversee the admissions and, and recruiting processes and, and that's changed a lot over the years, in the early years of the college, you know, kind of going back to that, I mentioned a moment ago of the shortage that there was no shortage of applicants at that time, you know, because, you know, because, you know, like a lot of things, when it's the new kid on the block or what have you, you know, people are drawn to it. And, and nationally, you know, there were a lot of opportunities for students within the field. But, you know, things, you know, change and, you know, you kind of set the field, self-correct. So application and the need for recruiting has changed a lot over the years. So we spend a lot of time trying to, you know, the admissions staff and student affairs as a whole.
And the college as a whole. You know, we collectively spend a lot of time trying to educate people about what pharmacists do as a career. Pharmacists has always been, in my opinion, and still is, sort of that invisible profession. So unless you have a need for pharmacists and that need most of the time is an interaction between you and the pharmacist at the local, you know, pharmacies, you know, many people just think of that as a local drug.
You know, the corner drugstore, you have no idea what pharmacists do, you know, and their role in terms of the, you know, the health care system. But pharmacists are truly the drug experts and, I mean, and these are things that I've come to learn over the years and, and, and, and I often laugh when and when I see commercials because, you know, we advertise a lot everything in America.
We advertise and drugs, you know, and no, no different. And I used to laugh when I would hear them talking about a particular drug. And at the end they go, if you have questions or whatever, ask your physician. And I would always think, no, ask your pharmacist, because that's truly the drug expert. So, so we spend a lot of time trying to help people understand what pharmacists do and use that platform from a recruiting and admission perspective.
And I think that's a nice service that we provide to our community, not just for the purpose of trying to, you know, get students in school, but really to help people understand and to be able to navigate, you know, the health care system a little better. But again, just kind of getting back to the question, so, you know, I guess you could say, you know, we try in student affairs and in my job as the manager of that, if we as a leader of that, you know, we really focus on trying to make the students experience here as fulfilling as it can be.
Especially outside of the classroom. But then also there to support them when they're having when they're having struggles and things that might, again, might not be specific to being in the classroom, but life affects them. You know, just because you're in school, life doesn't hit the pause button. So our students, you know, they're still people and they get affected by things.
So we try to help ameliorate some of that. And just really do all we can to help them have a quality experience. While they're here is, again, student.
MW:
I have to agree with you 100%. And I also want to give a little shout out to your amazing staff, the people that work in student affairs are like really, really student oriented. And, you, you create an environment where, you know, people really want to help students. And I, I'm always surprised at all the things that Student affairs does to support students.
SE:
Yeah. Well, I appreciate that. And, and truly, I think it's a real love for the staff, you know, because if you look at the student affairs staff, most of us have been here for, for, for a good period of time when you think about longevity. I mean, I've been 30 at Etsu, 20, in fact, with the College of Pharmacy.
But in addition, there's an individual who's been here for 17 years in student affairs and, and another individual that's 17 years. So, so it's really it's really a nice, a nice situation. And it is because they are so, invested in the students' well-being, and it just makes it nice. And I think our students know that.
Yeah, you know, that they can really count on people in student affairs. And we're talking about student affairs because of course, that's my area. But it's the college. You know, I think I think people know that they can count on everybody in the college to be in their corner, when times are tough. It's easy to be in the corner when times are going good.
But I think the students realize that we're all in their corner, maybe even more so when times are tough to help them, meet those challenges and still be successful. Yeah, yeah.
SW:
Well, one thing Student Affairs is known for, maybe famously or infamously, is Halloween celebrations. And, I don't know if this will come out probably after Halloween, but tomorrow we're celebrating Halloween here. Can you kind of talk about your favorite Halloween performances you've done in classrooms? Performed. There's been college dance parties.
SE:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're right. There have been a lot of wild things over the years. All good fun. All good fun. Of course.
MW:
Good clean fun.
SE:
Yeah, I think my favorite one and I, and I can't specifically remember the year, but I would just say somewhere around 2014 is somewhere in that in that time frame was, when we did a performance to a, to a song that just, you know, you know, one of those one hit wonders, you know, that happened to come out that year and, and the song was, "What Does the Fox Say?"
It was by this Canadian duo. Don't even ask me what their names were. And, it was it was just so it was just such a fun thing to where, you know, we we spoofed it up to, you know, to entertain the students. And of course, as always, I seem to be the guy that either has to make the fun or get or get made fun of.
So I was the senior dancer, if you will, for that, for that event. And it was just a really, really fun time. The class had a ball. You know, I had I had a faux—so let me be sure PETA people are not mad at me—I had a faux fox stole, you know, that I was wearing and just, you know, so it was just really a fun time.
And, and that whole that whole Halloween celebration, that is, that is that happens every year was just one of those things that happened by a lark, you know, it's just, you know, it's like, oh, we should just do something for the students, you know? So we decided to do a costume contest and, you know, of course, trick or treating and, and student affairs staff dressed up as the Village People.
And then had someone get the idea where we should go downstairs and sing YMCA for the class. And we did. And the next thing you know, students start expecting that every year. What are you all going to do? So, so it's just been a lot of great, great laughs over the years. Yeah.
MW:
It is a lot of fun. Yeah.
SW:
I'm curious how you've seen ETSU change in your time here at the university as a whole, and Gatton started as a private college within a public institution, I think it was the only one possibly in the country at that time—it was a very unique situation.
SE:
It was definitely unique. And we were, at least in terms of pharmacy, can't speak for other areas, but I would, but I would dare say regardless of area, we were probably the only one in the country. And yeah, so that was just sort of an unheard of thing. And I think even here, maybe people surprised themselves.
Not that it was, it was became successful, but just the idea because you know, you were, first of all, for your state institution and for so many years people have been going to the state with this, you know, appeal for establishing a college of pharmacy. And, you know, in large part because of the history of the medical school here, you know, being started in the mid 70s and just the impact that that had on the overall quality of life in this region, but in particular health care as, as you, as you would, guess.
And I think someone said, and I don't know who said it because at the time I was with the College of Medicine and I would see them meet weekly, you know, this steering committee for trying to start a pharmacy school they'd need in the College of Medicine weekly. And, and I think someone in that group sort of said it a bit tongue in cheek, like, well, why do we have to have the state's money? You know, how you do those kinds of things sometimes.
And to which everybody laughed. But then but then all of a sudden you like, well, why do we have to have the state's money? So, so all of a sudden that idea just, just sort of took root. And so I think first of all, you know, that's the East Tennessee spirit in general for this region, you know, like, don't tell us we can't do something, you know, just just watch us.
And I think also that was a bit of the East Tennessee State University spirit. And I think that was a big endeavor for the University, though, because, you know, to a large extent at that time, you know, ETSU was, you know, a regional and it still is a regional school, which which, you know, which everyone understands.
But I think maybe even regional in thinking, you know, it's like you hear we're going to sort of be in our designated world, you know, and do the things that we do and do them well, of course. But over time, I think the university and I think, you know, especially seeing this, you know, with the leadership of the current president for more than a decade now, think bigger, you know, yes, we might be regional in terms of our founding in our history, but we are a world class university in terms of the educational experience here, and we attract students from all over the place.
So I think that's something that I've seen, you know, change over the years, just a bit of the mindset, you know, of the people in the region and, and especially, you know, the mindset of individuals at the university. And I think that's been a good thing. Overall, you know, because we've been able to attract students from across the country, and internationally, we've enrolled international students here within the College of Pharmacy.
Obviously, the university does. And to be able to attract, you know, faculty and staff and, and just, you know, make a name for ourselves in this little corner of Tennessee and, that has impacted the world truly in a lot of ways. So, so that's a big that's probably a big change for me. You know, just kind of reflecting back on the number of years I've been here that the university has grown in that mindset. And the impact that that is allowed the university to have.
SW:
That's well and flash forward from when it started without state funding of course a few years ago we received some state funding, for the college. And we've also established the Early Admission Pathway program, which has become a huge part of Gatton. Can you kind of talk, tell our audience about what the Early Admission Pathway is and why it's important?
SE:
You're absolutely, it is something and but, you know, just to kind of come in on this state support that we do we do receive some state dollars now. So we're not fully private as we were. And, and I think it's important, you know, for me, at least when I think about it, we weren't chasing state dollars, if you will, because we needed money.
But it really was part of part of our commitment to students, you know, to to be able to lower their tuition. And that's and we've done that. And of course, we're continuing to try to do that. So that pharmacy is an education especially, you know, when you think about, you know, southern central Appalachian, you know, a lot of people come from, you know, rural areas, you know, might be first generation students.
So the notion of becoming a health professional might seem far, far reached, you know, in their mind. So, so we certainly want to do all the things that we can and, and that does include with the tuition. So, so it's, I am glad with our--under the leadership of our current dean, Dr. Byrd, you know, that we've been able to, you know, do some of that and again, to, you know, to continue on that.
And, and I think then that also is kind of help feed into the the EAP program, the early admission program, as, as you mentioned. So, so again, kind of harkening back to how we've changed things with recruiting and doing more, we are spending, you know, that educating of students in high schools and even middle schools about what pharmacists do and helping them to see what that pathway can look like.
So through the early admissions pathway program, students are able, as early as high school to be able to be, you know, and if they were watching intensive TV, they could see my air quotes. But but to be able to gain admission into pharmacy school coming out of high school so that just that pressure of, you know, when I go to college, I've got to be the best, you know, I got to make A's and everything and not just the pressure of making A's, but that feeling of your classmate across the room you almost see as an enemy because they're trying to get my spot, you know, it removes that pressure because, you know, you have a spot now, you still have to perform academically while in school. But there again, because they're in this pathway. And for us, we see them from day one as they're our students, even while they're completing the undergraduate coursework. And we're going to be there to support them. So, you know, so, you know, Dr. Williams, assistant with academics, you know, we try to do things that help them grow professionally, and be ready.
And we do provide some, some scholarship money to, to to warm those to those students. So that program truly has as you, as you stated, grown over the years from the first cohort that we admitted in 2020, and to the most recent cohorts. So that first cohort we admitted consisted of 12 students. And of course, you know, you're going to have attrition.
You know, they're young and making that decision. So as they go through college, they might decide this isn't for them. And that's okay. You know. And we'd rather they do that and so that they can, you know, find what their real passion is. But that was 12 students, only four of whom then truly came and began the PharmD portion of the program to, our most recent class that actually began in the PharmD program was 20.
And then the most recent cohort of students who we admitted into the program, who are now in their first year as freshmen at Etsu. That number being 50. So, you know, so this is so this is just really grown over, grown over the years. And, you know, because students are seeing, you know, as high schools, students what this pathway is like and truly what the career pharmacy can offer for them.
So we're really excited about that and love working with those students. And, and helping them grow and get here into pharmacy school and obviously be successful while they're here.
SW:
Yeah, yeah. It's been great seeing them at the tailgates. This football season.
SE:
Yeah. It has been. It has been. And I think that's something that they appreciate because even though they know what hey, I'm in pharmacy school as a freshman. Still you're a freshman and you have some trepidation. But then to come to a tailgate or another type of event and the dean is there to welcome you and the faculty are there to welcome you, and they know who you are.
They're not just saying, hi, I'm the Dean who are you? But hi, Megan, we're glad to see you today. Glad you could stop by. And then our current student is talking with them and, you know, and putting their arm around them and seeing them as one of one of the group. You know, I think that goes a long way to, to, you know, really helping those students feel at home.
But then also knowing that that we are here to assist them fully through this, through this journey. Yeah.
MW:
Tell us a little bit about the Steve Ellis scholarship.
SE:
Well, the Steve Ellis scholarship was a real surprise to Steve Ellis. You know, a lot of times scholarships, especially if they're named for someone or started by that person for or people, you know, their family for whatever reason. But this scholarship, which, which makes it so special for me to to be honored in this way was, was created by, by by you all, you know, by my colleagues here who I work with, you know, in appreciation and recognition of the time that I've been here at ETSU.
So the scholarship, which we're still working, you know, working through the details of it, but the scholarship will, will, will be aimed to support students, you know, from, from that overall student support perspective. So, so it's not designed to, you know, like the student who makes the best grades and those sorts of things. But really to help students, you know, who need support, or, you know, or to be able to take advantage of certain types of experiences, you know, so if you think about that kind of relationship with student affairs.
So, they are currently kind of emphasizing this scholarship in terms of, you know, collecting donations because we want it to be endowed and not something that, hey, there's some money and then it all gets spent and that's the end of the scholarship, but something that would have a lasting impact. So we're working to try to get the scholarship endowed.
And so that there would be an annual award really in perpetuity. So I was just really blown away, certainly surprised, you know, when, you know, the college presented, presented that to me in recognition of my 30 years. I generally try to be a pretty even keel, levelheaded type of person. And I think I held up okay that they were truly I was about to cry and, you know, to be to be honest, I was so moved by that gesture.
So, I'm excited, you know, to to to see what the scholarship would be able to do, you know, in terms of helping students, you know, as we've talked about throughout, kind of grow and develop, as, as pharmacy students.
SW:
Yeah. That's awesome. Well, we'll put a link in the show notes for to folks who want to donate to the scholarship and how it help it reach the endowment.
SE:
Yes, yes. I mean, the same type of thing. You know, how the school got started, you know. No amount is too small and I think people do have a heart for things that they know will, will directly impact and help students. So, so.
SW:
And if people want to see the look on Steve's face when we had the surprise party, the dean surprised him with the scholarship, you can go back on social media and find those photos there.
SE:
So yeah. Yes. Yes, absolutely. I was definitely surprised.
MW:
But it's great. Well, I was really looking forward to this because I knew it would be a really fun conversation and you did not disappoint me. That's great. Is there anything that we haven't asked you about that you that you wish we had asked? We should have asked.
SE:
No, I mean, I think you guys asked some really great questions, you know, some some good thought provoking questions. And for me, even some questions that brought that, you know, great, great memories. I think, you know, maybe, perhaps, you know, students, which is true of faculty, staff, administrators, you know, you know, they don't know us as people.
You know, they see who we are in our roles and sometimes don't get to know us as people. But, you know, I try to help students know that I'm, you know, I'm just a regular guy, like they are to, and we all have some of the same struggles, but that, you know, truly, you know, we and I are going to be here for them that, you know, whatever it takes to help them be successful, you know, want to be in their corner.
There's nothing that brings me greater joy than, than watching them grow and be successful and know that they're going to go out in the world and, and make such a difference, you know, in people's lives. So, yeah.
SW:
Well said. Okay. Well, thank you for being on the podcast.
SE:
Well thank you. I've enjoyed this opportunity and hopefully somebody out there might appreciate something that we talked about today and who knows, might make a difference in their life.
SW:
We'll have you back on in your 60 year anniversary.
SE:
Okay. Okay. Well, yeah. You know I need to stay on because that, you know, the celebration you do get gifts the longer you do the, you know, there's that rocking chair that looms out there. But I got to put a lot more years to get the rocking chair. You get one of those nice ETSU rocking chairs.
SE:
All right. Well thank you all I really appreciated this and enjoyed it.
MW:
Thank you.
