Student Organizations (External)
Optometry Student Honor Society -Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK)
Mission Statement
The mission of Beta Sigma Kappa is to stimulate scientific attainment, academic excellence and the ethical practice of optometry and to promote and provide financial support for worthy research projects relating to vision care and the eyes.
How does a student get involved?
Any student with a GPA over 3.5 at the end of each professional year of their Optometric education is eligible to join BSK. The College of Optometric Medicine will send an email to eligible students each January. Students must pay a one-time fee of $35 to be an active member of BSK.
Membership Benefits
- Acknowledgment as an esteemed member of the profession.
- Support of student members, including provision of cords to recognize BSK members at graduation and presentation of the BSK Silver 鈥∕edal Award, an engraved award for the graduating BSK member with the highest GPA.
- Support of student research through the BSK Student Research Grant that is awarded annually to optometry students at accredited 鈥╫ptometry schools.
- Support of residents and new faculty members performing research through grants awarded annually through partnerships with the American Optometric Foundation of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrist in Visual Development.
- Receipt of the Ocularum, an annual BSK newsletter.
- Invitation to the annual BSK Membership Meeting at the AAO meeting to interact with colleagues from across the nation and hone 鈥╣rant awardees.
General Information
Honor Society Website
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
Mission Statement
The American Academy of Optometry provides exceptional education, supports innovative research, and disseminates knowledge to advance optometric practice and improve patient care.
How does a student get involved?
Membership Benefits
- Student Fellowship Program
- Annual meeting at discounted student rates
- Academy newsletters and other communications
- Eligibility to apply for Student Travel Fellowships to attend the meeting
The American Optometric Student Association (AOSA)
Mission Statement
The AOSA is led by optometry students for optometry students. We represent more than 7,100 students attending the 26 schools and colleges of optometry throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The AOSA works to ensure optometry students gain the knowledge needed to thrive in this great profession.
How does a student get involved?
All 黑料专区 students are automatically enrolled in the AOSA during their first year. Some of your tuition and fees are used to pay your $30 annual fee. If you have any questions, please reach out to the current Trustee or Trustee Elect.
Membership Benefits
- AOA Affiliate Membership Included: where you’re from, where you go to school, or where you plan to practice after graduation.
- Discounted Registration for AOSA and AOA’s annual meeting, Optometry’s Meeting
- Week in Focus: This weekly e-newsletter provides in-depth information about industry news, upcoming events and deadlines, key resources and updates from the AOA, specifically for students.
- Resume-Building Programs
- Networking Opportunities within your school, state and national association
- Local and National Events and Opportunities with AOSA Members
- Student Business Cards: Two complimentary sets of 250 business cards, order at aoa.org/cards
- OptometryStudents.com: Student-curated content to empower and inspire future doctors of optometry.
- AOAExcel: Solutions for business, career, and student needs offering discounted rates on malpractice insurance, student loan refinancing, free access to Optometry’s Career Center, and more
- Access to EYELEARN Professional Development Hub, a member-exclusive online learning resource offering the latest educational courses and tools
- Complimentary Annual Membership in the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section
General Information
Zanna Kruoch
Faculty Advisor, 黑料专区
Victoria Laws
Trustee Elect, 黑料专区
The American Optometric Student Association website
Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA)
Mission Statement
Improving lives by advancing excellence in developmental and rehabilitative neuro-optometric vision care through education and board certification.
How does a student get involved?
To join the 黑料专区 chapter of OVRDA, reach out to the Local Faculty Liaison or Local Student Liaison
Membership Benefits
- COVD Tour de Optometry: Each academic year, the COVD Board of Directors and some Past Presidents visit optometry schools across North America to share the message about practicing vision therapy.
- Vision Fund Grants: A new fund to ensure the development of professionals in vision therapy and binocular vision a $5000.00 grant will be awarded annually to a 4th year student who is dedicated to taking the next step into their career in vision therapy. This grant will be presented each year at the COVD Annual Meeting during the awards lunch.
- Practice Opportunities: Explore Vision Development employment opportunities on the OVDRA website.
- OVDRA Annual Meetings: Annual Continuing Education and networking convention for practicing professionals and students.
General Information
Bracken Campbell
Student Liaison, 黑料专区
The Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association听website
The National Optometric Student Association (NOSA)
Mission Statement
The goal of the National Optometric Association (NOA) to successfully matriculate underrepresented minorities in optometry school, develop NOSA Chapters at each optometry school, AND mentor students so that 75% of the NOSA students will become NOA members upon graduation. The National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) is an international service organization comprised of over 1,000 optometry students who are dedicated to increasing access to eyecare for minority and under-served communities.
How does a student get involved?
To get involved in the 黑料专区 Chapter of the NOSA, please reach out to the chapter presidency or the faculty advisor.
Membership Benefits
- Start Up Funds: New or newly reactivated chapters are eligible for $500.00 in startup funding. A student representative must attend the national convention and request these funds
- Networking Opportunities听
- NOA Convention and Travel Grants: Active NOSA members may be eligible to receive a travel grant from the NOA for the annual meeting. Terms of the travel grant contract must be met and will be provided to students prior to the annual meeting. Terms and grant amounts are subject to change.
- NOSA T-Shirt Contest: At the start of each academic year, students at respective Optometry schools are eligible to submit a T-Shirt design that aligns with the guidelines established by the national board. The T-Shirt Contest winner will receive a $50 gift card and have their design featured on the National shirt for the academic year
General Information
Essence Johnson
Faculty Advisor, 黑料专区
Delandsheere Jean-Philippe
President
The National Optometric Student Association website
Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH)
Mission Statement
We travel the developing world and the U.S. providing free quality vision care services through short-term clinics to those who need it. We also work to develop sustainable programs and local optometric capacity in the developing world in order to help local communities continue to provide quality vision care. Our goal is to eradicate untreated refractive error鈥搕hat is鈥� to help people see again by correcting their vision with glasses. And once they can see, they can improve the quality of their lives and their own vision for a future for generations to come.
How does a student get involved?
To get involved in SVOSH-黑料专区, please contact a member of the student leadership team.
Membership Benefits
- International Service Trips: Students participating in SVOSH can organize optometry service trips abroad.听
- Mission Trip Funding: SVOSH partners with National Vision to provide financial support to student mission trips.
General Information
Jacob Robison
Faculty Advisor, 黑料专区
Anmol Singh
Treasurer
Contact Information
黑料专区 SVOSH Student Leadership: svosh@rm.edu听
The Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association website