Winning isn’t just a moment for West Virginia University School of Pharmacy students; it’s becoming a tradition. At this year’s American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Mock Trial Competition, the School of Pharmacy once again put the “W” in WVU, continuing a streak of standout performances that stretches back 4 years. In addition to this year’s win, the School won the inaugural contest in 2022 and placed second in 2024.
The 2025 team competed in the final round against Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday, July 19, at the AACP Annual Meeting in Chicago. This year’s members are fourth-year students Rhiannon Benton, Maegan Casimir, and Alysha Gerba, third-year students Jiyun Lim, Madison Maynard, and Alexandria Swafford.
Together, they tackled the timely and complex issue of whether marijuana should be rescheduled within the Controlled Substances Act or removed entirely and regulated through other means. They showcased their adaptability and depth of knowledge by successfully arguing both sides, advocating for rescheduling in the semi-finals and for complete removal in the finals.
This was Swafford’s second year participating on the team. She says the mock trial has sparked her enthusiasm.
“Each time the competition ends, I find myself counting down the days until we can start preparing for the next one,” said Swafford. “Mock trial isn’t just a test of knowledge. It challenges your adaptability and ability to think on your feet. I would highly recommend it to anyone with interest.”
Dr. Heather Johnson Smith and Dr. Marina Galvez Peralta co-mentored the team. Johnson says that although it may seem unusual for student pharmacists to take on roles as lawyers, witnesses, and FDA representatives, they take it very seriously.
“Rather than seeing it as something outside their scope, our students recognize how these skills translate directly to pharmacy practice,” said Johnson. “Whether they’re on rotation or advocating for a patient, they need to make compelling cases.”
Johnson added that the experience reinforces core pharmacy skills such as evaluating literature, public speaking, and understanding the intersection of healthcare and policy. “It’s a reminder that pharmacy isn’t just about medications, but about leadership, advocacy, and making change,” she said.
The AACP Mock Trial has grown steadily, expanding from just 6 schools in its first year to a broader field of 8 to 12 institutions. Organizers plan to shift the competition to the fall semester to give more schools time to prepare and participate. To learn more about the AACP’s Mock Trial Competition, visit https://www.aacp.org/article/student-mock-trial-competition.