Students gathered around the Meyer Amphitheater as the sun rose on Saturday, November 22, 2025, filled with excitement and enthusiasm as they warmed up for the Urban Youth Impact Stampede 5K. Music pulsed from the loud speakers, each beat matching the energy of the students as they prepared to run in support of a cause greater than themselves.
Students from Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy (GSOP) participated in the 5K run in honor of Dr. Barbara Kelly, a beloved professor and community leader who died August 2023.
Honoring the Life and Mission of Dr. Barbara Kelly
Kelly was a familiar face at these events, often running alongside students while promoting the mission behind them. As participants followed the same path Kelly once ran, they carried forward the legacy she built through faith, service, and mentorship.
Kelly was known for her devotion to the Urban Youth Impact (UYI) organization, a faith-based organization dedicated to addressing real-world community needs through family support, career readiness, and youth enrichment programs. Her work with UYI reflected her lifelong commitment to using her God-given gifts to serve others, particularly children navigating difficult circumstances in their lives.
That same commitment continues today through PBA students who volunteer with the organization. Through involvement in UYI programs, students are able to apply their academic training while serving as mentors and role models. They offer guidance and encouragement to children to help make decisions that may affect their future, such as going to college. Students are able to use their past experiences to bring clarity to these decisions.
A Student Perspective on Leadership
Alexes Burgos, vice president of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association and a pharmacy student at PBA, emphasized how meaningful the experience was for students involved in the 5K.
“This event built lasting connections between the students and the organization, creating opportunities for continued involvement in UYI programs and activities,” Burgos said.
She explained that the event also allowed students and community members to come together in support of UYI’s broader mission of strengthening the community through faith-based service.
Beyond the immediate impact of the run, Burgos noted that participation in events like the 5K helps shape students into strong leaders who are prepared to serve well.
The experience laid the foundation for the “development of confident, compassionate leaders,” Burgos said, as students cultivated essential skills such as communication and interpersonal growth, while cultivating connections with their community.
Carrying Her Legacy Forward
Those values closely align with Kelly’s approach as an educator. She believed that fostering strong leadership skills was essential for students’ success, both professionally and personally. According to Burgos, Kelly emphasized the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment that helps students develop the confidence they need to succeed.
“Continuing to participate in this event reflects her commitment to service, mentorship, and community engagement, and it carries forward the values she instilled in her students,” Burgos said.
To learn more about PBA’s Gregory School of Pharmacy, visit https://www.pba.edu/academics/schools/pharmacy/.