CooperVision has announced the 37 members of its 2026-2027 Student Leadership Society.
The Student Leadership Society program provides educational and professional development opportunities to third-year optometry students selected by their faculty to serve one-year terms. The students represent schools and colleges of optometry throughout the United States and Canada.
Professional Development Opportunities
Throughout the academic year, members will participate in activities such as a summit at CooperVision’s facility in Gilbert, Ariz., networking with peers and industry leaders, and a travel grant to attend the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting.
“CooperVision recognizes that students represent the future of the profession, and we are pleased to support these talented individuals throughout their educational journey and beyond,” says Tyler Kitzman, OD, FAAO, academic affairs senior advisor at CooperVision.
Kitzman adds that the program will expose students to various aspects of contact lenses, including clinical care, practice management, and patient care.
Student Leadership Society Members
The selected students are:
- Emily Beer: Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Hunter Bentley: Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University
- Samantha Black: Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
- Briana Bui: Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
- Kathryne Carrier: Indiana University School of Optometry
- Marissa Driesen: Southern College of Optometry
- Mary Drummer: Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
- Haley Durr: The Ohio State University
- Alec Faith: Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University
- Anabel Ferraro: State University of New York College of Optometry
- Kailey Findley Leyva: Illinois College of Optometry
- Steven Gullo: University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
- Coleby Hess: Rocky Mountain University
- Ashley King: Illinois College of Optometry
- Marianne Lahaye: Université de Montréal School of Optometry
- Kelly Lam: University of Houston College of Optometry
- Alexa Larsen: Southern College of Optometry
- Candice Lee: University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Julia Lotfy: University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Rachel Ludwik: Indiana University School of Optometry
- Carolina Minozzi: Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Hannah Naseer: State University of New York College of Optometry
- Christina Navarrette: Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry
- Janet Nguy: Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University
- Prieyankaa Nirmalan: New England College of Optometry
- Chidera Okeleke: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
- Joon Park: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Drexel University
- Cassandra Pedneault: Université de Montréal School of Optometry
- Brittney Phung: Pacific University College of Optometry
- Liberty Schram: Pacific University College of Optometry
- Zubia Sohail: University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
- Nichola Stenzel: New England College of Optometry
- Genevieve Tang: Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
- Daryl Tran: University of Houston College of Optometry
- Monicabrett Tulod: Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry
- Avery Valdez: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Yola Ziko: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Drexel University