Monique Ester-House always had big dreams, but the road to achieving them wasn’t easy.

Initially, Monique attended a large four-year university on a scholarship to become a teacher. Coming from a small high school, the transition was overwhelming, and she quickly realized that teaching wasn’t her passion. When she returned home, she decided to enroll at nearby Richard J. Daley College in 2009 to work on her general education requirements. She also returned to her roots of working as a pharmacy technician.

While at Daley, Monique found her calling in pharmacy. Encouraged by her pharmacist and her growing passion for the field, she decided to pursue pharmacy school. Despite life’s challenges, including taking breaks for family responsibilities and having a child, she never lost sight of her goals.

After graduating from Daley in 2019, Monique enrolled in Chicago State University’s College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. With her children and husband proudly cheering her on, she’s wrapping up her final year. Monique credits Daley for preparing her for the rigors of pharmacy school.

“The smaller class sizes, individual support, flexibility to take classes at other campuses, and affordability, it all made a difference,” she said. “I also made a lot of connections with my peers that I still maintain today.”

Monique is eager to give back to her community. She speaks on panels to inspire students interested in pharmacy or STEM fields, hoping her story will encourage others.

“I want people to know you can grow up in Englewood and come from a Chicago Public School like I did and go to a City College of Chicago like I did, and make a way for yourself,” she shared.

Monique’s future goals include practicing as a pharmacist in a community pharmacy, mentoring students, and eventually owning her own pharmacy.

"I’m elated that I made it this far, no matter how long it took me. The pathway to success is not linear. Things happen, and everything that happened to me served a purpose."

Monique Ester-House

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