STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Welcome Class of 2029!
Congratulations! We are so excited to welcome you to SCO as you begin your journey to becoming an optometrist! As a student at SCO you are already a member of the American Academy of Optometry. The AAO is an association that works to enhance optometric clinical practice and care by supporting education and advancements in research in the field of optometry. The AAO is comprised of optometric professionals who collaborate with one another to achieve the highest quality clinical care and practices in optometry that are supported by research.
Every year the AAO hosts a conference to bring optometric professionals together to discover innovations and research in the field of optometry. This year that meeting is being held in October in Boston, MA! As a student you are encouraged to attend the conference, and our AAO student chapter at SCO works to support student attendance at the conference every year!
Congratulations! We look forward to meeting you all!
Welcome to SCO, Class of 2029!
On behalf of the American Optometric Student Association, congratulations on your acceptance to Southern College of Optometry! All of your hard work to get to this point has paid off and brought you here for the most challenging, but rewarding four years o f your life. The AOSA is here to support you; today’s students and tomorrow’s Doctors of Optometry.
The AOSA is the student division of the American Optometric Association, which advocates for and protects the profession of optometry. The AOSA’s mission is “Empowering students to thrive as doctors of optometry.” We value loyalty, respect, foresight, integrity, and collaboration. The AOSA is here for you! Our goal is to assist you with any obstacles you may encounter on your optometric journey through educational resources, networking opportunities, such as AOA+ Leadership Link, and the knowledge to launch you into a successful career.
The AOSA at SCO hosts multiple events each year for our student members. These events include Optifest, State Day, Student Bowl, and World Sight Day . We also promote and support national conferences like Optometry’s Meeting in Arizona this year and AOA on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. We provide thousands of dollars’ worth of travel grants to help send you to the most important meetings of the year so that you have every opportunity possible to learn and grow.
The most exciting part about AOSA at SCO is that you are all members! You are automatically enrolled as a member because the college pays your dues for you. So, you already have access to all of the incredible benefits that AOSA has to offer! I’m so excited for you to get to experience all of the wonderful aspects of the A OSA, here at SCO, and on a national level.
If you have any questions about the AOSA, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Landyn Goodwin
lpowell@sco.edu
AOSA Trustee
Nathan Walls
nwalls@sco.edu
AOSA Trustee-Elect
BETA SIGMA KAPPA
P R E S I D E N T : A B B Y C A Z A Y O U X
V I C E P R E S I D E N T : M E R E D I T H O W E N
S E C R E T A R Y : A L Y S S A M C E L H I N N E Y
T R E A S U R E R : L E A H N G U Y E N
Congratulations to the Class of 2029! On behalf of our school’s chapter of Beta Sigma Kappa, welcome to the Southern College of Optometry!
B e t a S i g m a K a p p y w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 2 5 b y a s m a l l g r o u p o f o p t o m e t r i s t s i n I l l i n o i s
B S K n o w h a s s t u d e n t c h a p t e r s i n e v e r y s c h o o l a n d c o l l e g e o f o p t o m e t r y i n t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s , w i t h t w o i n C a n a d a a n d o n e i n P u e r t o R i c o M e m b e r s h i p i n B S K i s b y w a y o f
i n v i t a t i o n t o s t u d e n t s w h o h a v e e a r n e d a G P A o f 3 . 5 o r h i g h e r a t t h e c u l m i n a t i o n o f
e a c h a c a d e m i c y e a r . A d d i t i o n a l l y , m e m b e r s h i p i n B S K i s a n h o n o r f o r l i f e .
B S K s u p p o r t s a n d w o r k s w i t h s t u d e n t c h a p t e r s t o d e v e l o p p r o g r a m s t h a t f o s t e r
a c a d e m i c e x c e l l e n c e . O u r m i s s i o n i s t o s t i m u l a t e s c i e n t i f i c a t t a i n m e n t - t h e e t h i c a l
p r a c t i c e o f o p t o m e t r y - a n d t o p r o v i d e f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t f o r w o r t h y r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s
r e l a t i n g t o v i s i o n c a r e a n d t h e e y e s . T h e S C O c h a p t e r o f B S K o r g a n i z e s m o c k
p r a c t i c a l s f o r f i r s t a n d s e c o n d y e a r s t u d e n t s t o h e l p t h e m p r e p a r e f o r f u t u r e
p r a c t i c a l s a n d e x p e r i e n c e i n c l i n i c ! I n a d d i t i o n , B S K i s i n v o l v e d i n p l a n n i n g b l o o d
d r i v e s , m a i n t a i n i n g s t u d y g u i d e r e s o u r c e s f o r s t u d e n t s , a n d v o t i n g o n a n n u a l t e a c h e r
o f t h e y e a r a w a r d s .
G o o d l u c k t o t h e b e g i n n i n g o f a n a m a z i n g f o u r y e a r s , a n d I l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g
e a c h o f y o u i n j u s t a f e w s h o r t w e e k s !
B e s t ,
A b b y C a z a y o u x , P r e s i d e n t
C l a s s o f 2 0 2 7
CONTACT LENS SOCIETY
WELCOME CLASS OF 2029!!
Congratulations on the beginning of your optometric career! Do you have an interest in contact lenses? Want to know more about new advances in this field?
Join us in Contact Lens Society as we build community over our mutual interest and have fun learning about Contact Lenses!
Club Goals:
Host educational events about specialty contact lens and new technology in the field
Provide information about the Cornea and Contact Lens Residency
Connect students with mentors and professionals
Learn from experts, industry reps, and alumni about incorporating CLs into your practice
CLUB OFFICERS:
President: Karen Vuong ‘27
Vice President: Jennelle VanAlstine ‘27
Secretary: Emma Davis ‘27
Treasurer: Amy Yin ’28
WHAT IS FCO?
FCO is a subset of the CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) - a national, interdenominational organization of christian health professional students.
ANY QUESTIONS?- PLEASE REACH OUT TO
WHAT WE DO
FCO is led by students and supported by many of our faculty - so you’ll be joining a family of other believers who are all interested in optometry like you! We have Bible studies, yearly mission trips, community service opportunities, and guest speakers who can share insight into what it looks like to blend faith in Jesus with Optometry.
GOALS
Build community through encouraging and aiding students in finding a church home and connecting with each other. Serve our community. Invite others into the community.
Dear Class of 2029,
On behalf of the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society, welcome to Southern College of Optometry! You are about to embark on a very exciting chapter, and we congratulate you on this advancement in your academic professional career. It is my sincere hope that these next four years are filled with memorable experiences that will foster both your personal and professional growth.
The mission of Gold Key is to recognize optometry students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their college and profession. Membership to Gold Key is limited to just 10% of the graduating class. The American Optometric Association recognizes Gold Key membership as “the highest honor for leadership a student of optometry can achieve.” This honor is GPA-blind, truly striving for inclusivity by recognizing your unique character and holistic efforts beyond academic achievement.
Members will be selected in Spring of third year by your peers those who have seen firsthand the impact that you’ve made directly on them, the school, and the broader profession. Although the honor of Gold Key membership may feel far into the future, the evaluation for candidacy starts TODAY as you interact with your classmates, fellow students, faculty, the SCO and Memphis communities, and beyond.
Our institution offers a wide array of extracurricular organizations which will undoubtedly thrive with your active involvement. I encourage you to explore the organizations that most align with your inner purpose and spark your passions. The projects and experiences will broaden your perspectives and maybe even help you to fine-tune your WHY. It is these experiences outside the classroom that you will vividly remember in May 2029 when you walk across the commencement stage as a Doctor of Optometry! I wish you the best of luck in your academic, professional, and personal pursuits these next couple of years. Time really flies! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding Gold Key as they come to you!
All the best wishes to you!
Sincerely,
K. Selena Tieu, Class of 2026 Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society President ktieu@sco.edu
Welcome Class of 202 9! Do you love sports but don’t know how to get involved? Join us at SCO in playing Intramural Sports!
• We offer several sports that you can get involved in including Volleyball, Indoor Soccer, and Basketball!
• Depending on interest, we may also have Field Hockey, Dodgeball and a Golf Tournament! We try to have sports going on year -round.
• All sports are FREE to students if they wish to play. Prior exposure to the sport is not required and all skill levels are welcome!
We will notify when sign -ups are starting! If you have any questions, feel free to email me, Cody Mulroy at cmulroy@sco.edu
Our Goals:
Raise awareness about low vision services
Connect with resources in the community
Expand and improve the services we offer patients
Dear Class of 2029,
Welcome to SCO and congratulations on choosing optometry as your future career! We hope you will consider joining us in Low Vision Club.
The demand for low vision optometrists is increasing as the population lives longer. Some of your future patients will have permanently reduced vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. While vision loss can be devastating, it is NOT a dead-end for a patient's life.
It is in every optometry student's best interest to be familiar with low vision solutions and community resources to help patients make the most of their remaining vision.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Sincerely,
Alex Nguyen, Class of 2027
alexnguyen@sco edu
Low Vision Club President
Past Meeting Topics:
Adaptive sports
Intro to low vision devices
Paint night with low vision simulation goggles
Contact lenses in low vision Accessibility marketing
Partnering with Lion's Club for Leader Dogs for the Blind
Partnering with Lion's Club for Dining in the Dark
NORA: Neuro - Optometric Rehabilitation Association
Welcome Class of 2029! Congratulations and welcome to SCO, we look forward to meeting you all!
2025-25 Of ficers:
President: Ashlynn Ohrberg
Vice President: Caitlin
Gasperin
We are still looking for additional officers. If you are interested, reach out to Ashlynn Ohrberg: ameixsell@sco.edu
Welcome to SCO!
Congratulations class of 2029 on beginning your journey in optometry! OPP is the perfect club for learning about what your future looks like after graduation. Our club hosts numerous successful ODs who travel to SCO to give you their advice on becoming a successful optometrist as well as a successful business owner. We hope to see you soon!
Sincerely, OPP Club Exec Team
Our Goal
Our goal as a club is to help further prepare you for practicing. While in school you are learning about the ins and outs of an eye exam, but often don’t get as much learning on what makes a successful business. Our goal is to help provide you with tips and advice from ODs who have led successful practices.
Contact Aine Mendonca with any questions!
Past Meetings
Private Practice Crawl
CooperVision sponsored event at Crosstown Brewing Co.
Dr. Spalding and Dr. Roberts - SCO Docs and their experience at private practice
Dr. Steven Reed, AOA President
2025 Officers
President: Aine Mendonca
President-Elect: Chris Buss
Treasurer: Ashlynn Kennedy
Secretary: Kimber Sprout
Social Media: Thea Lunning & Jasmine Oliva
SPECTRUM
Welcome Class of 2029!
Our Mission
The mission of Spectrum at SCO is to create a school community where all students, faculty, and staff members feel welcome and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We also seek to provide a voice for those who have lost theirs and to promote equality and diversity through social gatherings, community outreach, and campus wide activities.
cgasperin@sco.edu
History
Spectrum was founded at SCO In the Spring of 2017. The founding members saw a need for an LGBTQ community for staff, faculty, and students. Since forming the club we have had many great speakers including alumni, staff, and representatives from CHOICES and Out Memphis.
In the past we've done:
Booth at Mid-South Pride
Pronoun pin fundraiser
Campaign to make clinic dress code gender-neutral
901FC Pride Night
Holiday parties
Guest speakers
Safe Zone training for students
Pride month lunch table
Future plans:
Spring Safe Zone training
Vision Screenings w/ OUTMemphis
Booth at Memphis Botanical Garden
Halloween hike
Whatever other ideas you have!
Welcome to SCO, Class of 2029!!!
It ’s time to get excited about Vision Therapy ( VT )! And there’s no better way than by joining the Vision Therapy Club!
Some of you may have loads of experience in the VT world, and for others, VT might be completely foreign to you (and that’s okay) VT focuses on training the brain to work with both eyes more efficiently, improving visual comfort and reducing stress on the patient ’s visual system VT is commonly prescribed to treat binocular vision disorders, strabismus, amblyopia, double vision, strokes, and TBIs Needless to say, VT gives you an incredible opportunity to make a tremendous impact on your patients’ quality of life, making it incredibly rewarding As a bonus, VT is fun! If you want to learn more about VT, check out OVDRA, OEPF, and NORA
The Vision Therapy Club seeks to bring VT to life outside the classroom and show you what VT is like outside SCO This year we have many incredible optometrists and vision therapists lined up to share their stories and experiences with you! Along with meetings, we host the VT Olympics in the fall, distribute Boo Pops for Halloween, and sell Peds Packs in the spring We also have some exciting raffles at our meetings, so stay tuned!
Please don't hesitate to reach out anytime with any questions about VT or the VT Club!
Alex McDonah Vision Therapy Club President Class of 2027