Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß

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Podcast: S9 Ep. 20
Date: July 28, 2026
Title: Preparing for what's next: Molly Crespo on pre-professional programs
Host: John Rollins

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JOHN ROLLINS: Welcome to the Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß Moment, where we showcase all the great things happening with Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I'm John Rollins, Associate Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs here at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and I want to welcome you all to this week's show. Today on the Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß Moment, I'll be speaking with Molly Crespo, who serves as the director of pre-professional programs for the College of Arts and Sciences here at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. Molly, welcome to the show.

MOLLY CRESPO: Thank you, John. Thank you so much for having me.

JOHN: So glad to have you. So, let's talk about your role here at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. I know that the pre-professional programs include a lot of areas in healthcare, right? So, I'd love to have you explain to our listeners and readers kind of what all falls under that umbrella.

MOLLY: Sure, sure. I've been in my position about four years now, and the pre-professional program has existed for a few decades at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and the program is comprised of 10 pre-health concentrations, ranging from pre-veterinary, pre-medicine, pre-dental. We even have pre-podiatry, pre-chiropractic. And all of the programs are designed to get students to medical school admissions after they graduate from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß.

JOHN: That's a pretty extensive lineup, I would say. Podiatry and some of these things that I really, honestly didn't know that we offered, I'm learning today. That's awesome. So, tell us a little bit more about kind of like your day to day in that role. You know what does that consist of? I’m sure it’s probably a lot.

MOLLY: It depends on the time of year. The primary prerogative of the program is to ensure that students are advised correctly on what classes they need for whatever medical school they're going to. We do an advising campaign where we target different groups of students. We start with the smaller concentrations, like pre-podiatry. I mentioned that that's one of the first ones we advise each semester, and we end with the larger concentrations of students for advising. So that's pre-veterinary, pre-dental, and pre-med. And so advising and making sure students get the right information is the primary objective of the program. But we also do student events. We help out with some student organization initiatives for these concentrations, like for example, one of my students, Dana. She is the president of the American Medical Student Association, and I have a tradition the past couple years of anything that that organization needs assistance with, I'm there to help out. Additionally, kind of as another advisor for, and then we also host practice interviews where students can receive feedback. And an excellent practice interview can result in a committee letter of recommendation for the students' med school applications.

JOHN: Yeah, that's super important. Fantastic. Well, what a great resource to have here on our campus, in a very unique role that that you've got here on campus too, getting to kind of help the students along, but also be there for them, like you said, at these pop-up events and things. I think having that advisor to look to and turn to is very important, and students remember that.

MOLLY: Absolutely, the role is so fulfilling. Some of the best students on campus are pre-med students. Our population for pre-med, I think, is around like 200 right now, and it may increase with this incoming class. You know, the numbers are still coming in, which is very exciting, and with that means you know a great horizon for more possibilities for what we can offer for students, and seeing these students emerge first as kind of timid freshmen with large aspirations all the way until they're matriculating into medical school. It's just a rewarding process to be a part of. Like I cry, I'm sensitive whenever I get to see students you know, achieve that ambition that they've expressed essentially for the past four years between meetings and leadership coaching and practice interviews. So it's just such a small piece to be a part of in such a rewarding field.

JOHN: Yeah, it’s such a critical time in their lives that you're a part of. I love that. Okay, let's go ahead and take it back to Molly. So, how long have you been employed here at Lamar?

MOLLY: Sure, I've been at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß for about four years, but I am an alumni. So, before my four years as a professional, I spent four years here as a student as well.

JOHN: Okay, so eight years at Lamar. And then we were talking earlier. You're currently going for a doctorate as well, correct?

MOLLY: Yes, that is correct.

JOHN: So tell us about that.

MOLLY: Alright. So, I am in the dissertation phase of the Ed.D. program at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, which focuses on global leadership in a doctorate of education, and within actually I defend my proposal for my dissertation next Tuesday, so cross your fingers. Like wish me luck.

JOHN: I'll say, as the as the theater students say, “Break a leg,” right? Yes, you’ve got this.

MOLLY: Absolutely, it is a performance. Defending a proposal really is an active performance, but my research for the dissertation primarily revolves around student leadership development, and I'm curious about how, when students participate in leadership organizations or university-sponsored programs, what are the transferable skills they gain from that participation that can help them in their career fields after they graduate?

JOHN: Hey, I think that's a very important topic for sure, and relevant to what you do for sure, absolutely. So, are you from the area?

MOLLY: I am not. I'm originally from the Houston area. I grew up in Katy, but my parents are from Southeast Texas.

JOHN: Okay, so that's how Lamar kind of got on your radar?

MOLLY: Yes, it is. My dad is an alumni, also. He and I have like a good connection. Where when he was a student, he was involved in marching band, and when I was a student, I was also really involved in marching band. So it's like a cool connection my dad and I share.

JOHN: Kind of a full circle thing. I love those stories. Those are the best. So you're also, I mean, you're very involved, which is why you're here on the podcast, right? So you're also the faculty director for y'all call it JAMP, which stands for Joint Admission Medical Program. So could you explain how that program works? And then I know you mentioned before we started recording, there are also early pathway programs. So let's talk about those as well.

MOLLY: Absolutely. So JAMP, it's one of my favorite things I get to do in my position at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. And you're correct that stands for the Joint Admission Medical Program. And JAMP is a grant-funded program from the state of Texas, which is an early admission pathway to medical school, traditionally for students who may not have had the economic opportunity to pursue medicine. So, students with a particular FAFSA score are eligible to apply for the program as soon as freshman or sophomore year, and especially if students are Pell Grant eligible, this program is designed for them. So, I work with students as JAMP faculty director or JFD every step of the way of the program. So from their interest, their initial inquiry, they meet with me from their application, which is quite long. It is applying to medical school early, and so they need assistance with that application. It's very long. There are essays involved. Transcripts from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß and high school need to be sent in for these essays need to be composed, so I assist them, kind of coaching them through that application process. And once the students apply, they can receive a potential offer for an interview with JAMP headquarters in Austin, Texas. So they interview, and the results of that interview could be full admission to the program, and with admission comes two summer internships at two different Texas medical schools, some extra resource support from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and full admission to a Texas medical school upon taking the MCAT and additional MCAT preparation resources, so it's a wonderful opportunity for students. It allows them to actually be, you know, working as an intern at a medical school two years in a row before they even graduate from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. So they're really prepared more so than the average student going into medical school when they graduate.

JOHN: Yeah, that's an amazing opportunity. Yes, and I love that they have the added benefit of a role like yours to consult with on campus and you know walk them through that process and be there every step of the way.

MOLLY: Yes, that's awesome. When I think about my role within JAMP as JFD, I really like to describe myself as a coach because I'm coaching the students through all aspects of it. Like I said, through the application process, through that, you know, like I said, there are several essays the students have to write, so they really need to dig into what their purpose is. Why are they wanting to pursue medicine, and specifically why medicine in Texas? Because it is a Texas-funded program, so being a part of their process and seeing that grow and their experience again is just so very rewarding.

JOHN: Did you want to touch on the other two programs?

MOLLY: Absolutely, yes. So Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß also has two other early admission pathway programs. The first being the U of H Pharmacy Co-op, similar to JAMP, students can apply typically as soon as their sophomore year, who are pre-pharmacy at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and this program also, while specific to U of H, but it is applying to pharmacy school early. The students gain admission to summer internship. And full admission to pharmacy school at U of H whenever they graduate from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. So another great opportunity. That chance does not have any financial constraints to it. So students with any economic background can apply for that. And then the third early admission pathway option is the brand new TSUS Physician Pathway Early Acceptance Program, otherwise known as TSUS PEAP. I'm not sure, but PEAP, and this is a brand new program. It just launched about six weeks ago, and it is available for students within the Texas State University System, so students at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, Sam Houston, Sul Ross State University, and these students are essentially applying competitively for spots at Sam Houston State University's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. And again, similar to JAMP, if students receive admission, then they get full admission to Sam Houston's program upon graduating from Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß to summer internships. This time, particular to Sam Houston and MCAT prep assistants.

JOHN: These are awesome programs. I'm so glad that our university has these, and I think you know I'm so glad I had you on today because I think there are programs that aren't always in the spotlight, you know. So it's nice to shed some light and share about these. Sure.

MOLLY: And sometimes students are apprehensive to talking about this huge ambition of going to medical school. There's a lot of layers to it. Conversations around pursuing medicine are different at different times in a student's academic pathway at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and so like for example, freshman year we're coaching students on how to get involved and courses to take, and there's just those first step initiatives. Whereas junior year we're really talking about prepping for practice interviews, the MCAT preparation for that, studying skills and studying methodology for the MCAT. So the conversation does change throughout the student's trajectory at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and it's quite a process.

JOHN: Like I said earlier, and you're there for every step of the process. So that's fantastic. I also know because I serve on this council with you, you're part of the Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß Staff Council. You have a pretty active role on the council.

MOLLY: Yes, it's been another rewarding part of what I do at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß, and it's so much fun. And so my role on I've been on Staff Council for the past three years, and the past two years of that, I have served as a co-chair for the Staff Appreciation Committee. So any fun event that's happening on campus that is particular for staff appreciation, I've had a big hand in playing a part in that. Most recently, we hosted our Caffeinate and Collaborate event, which was an in-house Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß professional development opportunity hosted a lot of great conversations with folks who steward different resources on campus for staff. So it was it was a great day. And free coffee too. We had a great coffee truck with that.

JOHN: You do a great job putting those events together, and I love in the Staff Council meetings. You show up with your notes, and you're ready to go. You're like, hey guys, this is what's going on. So we do appreciate that for sure. So I want to ask you, why do you think groups like Staff Council are important for a college university?

MOLLY: Sure. Well, it's a voice for staff, especially in the hustle and bustle of you know things that are going on. Within my role in particular, I think it's a way to remind staff of everyone is appreciated. When most people who work at institutions, they do this because they want to give back to you know the community in which brought them up. Possibly a lot of people who work at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß are from Southeast Texas, and so Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß is really a staple of the community. And we oftentimes have so many different hats that we wear to essentially serve students, make sure things you know keep going, and not just keep going, but operate well for the students, and so to be part of giving back to our own staff community is very rewarding for me. And I think it's important again because people deserve that recognition. There are so many people who work at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß doing so many different things, and to have that chance to give someone a cup of coffee, give someone a snow cone, or maybe talk about how we can collaborate across campus. I think is essential.

JOHN: I couldn't agree more. And even with staff awards, you know, highlighting you've worked here five years, come and receive a certificate and shake hands with the president, and you know, just those little acts of just kindness and just acknowledgement really go a long way, I think.

MOLLY: Absolutely.

JOHN: For sure. Well, I'm glad to serve on that council with you.

MOLLY: Oh, I'm glad to have you.

JOHN: So for folks who want to learn more about the pre-professional programs, where would you send them? Website?

MOLLY: Absolutely, we have a page dedicated on the Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß website for pre-professional programs. They can also email preprofessional@lamarar.edu. Either myself or our program advisor Wesley Smith will be happy to answer any questions students, families, or community members have.

JOHN: Fantastic. Well, Molly, thanks again for joining me on the podcast, for sharing those resources and the support, and for really for being that support for our pre-professional students because Lord knows they need it. It's quite the process, right? But we're glad to have you there in that role for sure. And early congratulations on you know your soon to be doctorate and best of luck on the dissertation.

MOLLY: Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

JOHN: That's a wrap on another episode. To catch the Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß stories just like Molly's, be sure to search Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß Moment wherever you get your podcasts to keep up with the events, activities, programs, and people right here at Ůӟ£ÀûÔÚÏß. This is John Rollins, your host. Thank you for listening, and we'll talk to you next time.