SUNY Student Organizations
American Optometric Student Association (AOSA)
Members: 288
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philpott
Trustee: Quy Nguyen '13
Trustee-Elect: Colleen Dye '14
Mission Statement
“The purpose of the American Optometric Student Association is to improve the visual welfare and health of the public, to promote the profession of optometry and to enhance the education and welfare of optometry students.”
Meeting Time: One meeting per semester to give general information to the student body. AOSA will also plan events throughout the year.
How Do I Join?
All students are members through the activities fee.
Visit AOSA
American Optometric Association–Political Action Committee (AOA-PAC)
Student Rep: Becky Pietrasik '13
Assistant Student Rep: Matt Vaughn '14
Mission Statement
“The AOA-PAC supports legislation that advances the quality, availability and accessibility of eye and vision care to the public. AOA-PAC encourages and supports involvement in the political process and supports candidates for federal office."
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information.
Visit AOA-PAC
Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK)
Members: 46
President: Divya Nandwani '12
Vice President: Stephanie Van de Ven '12
Secretary: Rae Huang
Treasurer: Jennifer Lunardo
Mission Statement:
“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.”
Meeting Time: 1 per semester in room 206.
How Do I Join?
Requirements are: 3.5 GPA after 1 year, or 3.4 after 2 years or 3.3 for 3 or 3.2 for all 4 years.
Fees: $20 application fee, $5 per year.
Visit BSK
Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS)
Members: 20
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philpott
SUNY Representative: Tracy Voegeli
California Optometric Student Association (COSA)
Members: 40
President: Josephine Huang '13
Mission Statement
“Keep students in touch with what is going on in optometry practice in California."
Meeting Time: 1 per semester.
How Do I Join?
Membership forms are available at the COSA meetings.
Visit COSA
College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Audra Steiner
2012 Liaison: Tiffany Liu '12
2013 Liaison: Mikilyn D'Angelo '14
2013 Liaison: Gregory Borukhov '14
Mission Statement
“To expose students to COVD, behavioral and developmental vision care, vision therapy and visual rehabilitation.”
Meeting Time: 1-2 per semester.
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information. Free for students, online membership form.
Visit COVD
Canadian Student Association (CSA)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philpott
President: Stephanie Van de Ven ‘12
Mission Statement
“Keep students in touch with what is going on in optometry practice in Canada."
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information.
Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO)
Members: 20
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joan Portello
President: Benjamin Arthur '13
Secretary: Joanne Malek '13
Other Officers: Alicia Kim, Ivan Tseng, Mina Pi, Yang Xia
Mission Statement
We believe that our faith permeates all aspects of our lives, and that a thriving Christian community is not only focused on the spiritual growth of its members, but is also faced outward to the surrounding community. Our mission for the next year is to create an environment where both Christians and non-Christians can openly and comfortably discuss their faith and world views, while keeping Christ as the center of all we do and say.
Meeting Time: Weekly
How Do I Join?
Send the online application on their website and receive membership certificate in mail.
Visit FCO
Gold Key
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philpott
President: Christine Ng ( cng@sunyopt.edu )
Vice President: Tiffany Liu ( tliu@sunyopt.edu )
Secretary: Christina Chu ( cchu@sunyopt.edu )
Treasurer: Dominique Ha ( dha@sunyopt.edu )
Visit Gold Key
Lions Club
Members: 20
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Soden
President: Christina Chu '12
Vice President: Jennifer Kwok '14
Secretary: Madelyne Latorre '14
Treasurer: Janna Lambson '14
Mission Statement
“To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.”
Meeting Time: Once a month
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information. There is a $10 membership fee.
Visit Lions Club
New Jersey Student Association (NJSA)
Members: 15
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez
President: Joanne Malek ‘13
Mission Statement
“Keep students in touch with what is going on in optometry practice in New Jersey.”
Meeting Time: 1-2 times a semester
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information. New students are required to fill out forms during orientation.
NJSA
National Optometric Student Association (NOSA)
Members: 10
President: Keith James '14
Vice President: Janelle McDonald '14
Secretary: Anna Szeto '14
Treasurer: Benjamin Arthur '13
Mission Statement
“To recruit minority students to schools and colleges of optometry; and to enhance the delivery, effectiveness and efficiency of eye and vision care services in communities with little or no eyecare presence.”
Meeting Time: Once a semester
How Do I Join?
Attend the first meeting for more information. $15 plus application fee.
Visit NOSA
New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA)
Trustee: Jefferson Lin, '13
Trustee-Elect: Tony Zarella '14
Mission Statement
“The NYSOA is dedicated to enhancing the vision care and health of the public and promoting the art and science of optometry.”
Meeting Time: Once a semester
How Do I Join?
All students are members through the activities fee.
Visit NYSOA
Student Chapter of American Academy of Optometry (SAAO)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Amelia Bartolone
President: Gia Huang '13
Mission Statement
“The objectives of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) are to promote excellence in the standards of optometric practice and to encourage the pursuit of research in optometry and related sciences.”
How Do I Join?
Visit SAAO
Fee: $30/year
Student Optometric Association for Private Practice (SOAPP)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Julia Appel
President: Charles Bong '13
President-Elect: Marissa Huang '14
Mission Statement
Highlight the value of and opportunities for Private Practice within the profession of Optometry. Students are encouraged to explore the opportunities and consider the benefits for practicing privately.
Meeting Time: Every 1-2 months
Sign in sheets at meetings keep attendance and membership is attendance based.
How Do I Join?
You can sign up at orientation! Attend the first meeting for more information.
Student Chapter of American Public Health Association (SAPHA)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rochelle Mozlin
President: Jennifer Hue '13
Vice President: Rajat Shetty '13
Secretary: Janna Lambson '14
Treasurer: Ji Yun Lee '13
Mission Statement
To connect students who have an interest in public health, give opportunities to serve in the public health field, and to serve the general public with knowledge and resources to maintain healthy living and prevent disease. We would also like to connect with public health and students of other health disciplines outside of SUNY for health fairs and public health events in the NYC metro area.
Meeting Time: The goal of the SAPHA is to have at least 3 general meetings or volunteer activities per semester. Meetings are held in one of the classrooms, depending on availability.
How Do I Join?
All students are welcome to the organization. We keep a list of interested members on our email list. All meetings are announced via school email.
Visit SAPHA
Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ellen Brand
(Does not attend meetings but is easily accessible through email)
President: Jen Gould '13
President-Elect: Jawad Daniel '14
Treasurer: Kathleen Maloney '13
Secretary: Melissa Cuan '13
Mission Statement
“The primary mission of SVOSH is to facilitate the provision of vision care worldwide to people who can neither afford nor obtain such care.”
Provides eye exams and Rx glasses to people in developing countries.
Meeting Time: 4-5pm Fridays; months fundraisers
Alert classes to remind students of meetings/maintain attendance
How Do I Join?
Free membership. Attend the first meeting for more information.
Graduate Program Student Council
Members: 11
Faculty Advisor: Jerry Feldman
(Does not attend meetings)
President: Bonnie Cooper
Vice President: Lauren Wool
Treasurer: Yushi Wang
Secretary: Naveen Yadav
Student Representative: Bonnie Cooper, Lauren Wool
Mission Statement
To welcome new graduate students, get more study and life experiences in New York through communication and improved friendships
Meeting Time: Conference room on 14th floor or restaurant, 1-2 times a year.
How Do I Join?
New Graduate students are recruited
