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CooperVision News
Beyond the Classroom: Building Community and Leadership in Optometry
For optometry students, the journey to becoming a clinician is filled with lectures, labs, and hands-on patient care. But it can also be a time to lead, connect, and grow beyond the curriculum. It’s in these moments—when students step outside the classroom to engage with peers, mentors, and the broader profession—that they begin to see the full scope of what optometry can be.
CooperVision supports this journey through a variety of student programs designed to inspire and empower future leaders. Among these are the Student Contact Lens Leadership Society and Student Myopia Leadership Society, which offer second- and third-year students unique opportunities to expand their education and professional network.
Selected by faculty from schools and colleges of optometry across North America, society members participate in a year-long experience that includes an immersive visit to CooperVision’s Rochester, N.Y. facilities. There, they explore the science behind contact lenses and myopia management, engage with industry experts, and gain insight into career paths they may not have considered before.
They also receive a grant to attend the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting—an experience that often sparks new interests in research, public health, or innovation. But perhaps the most lasting impact comes from the relationships formed. Students connect with peers from other institutions, share ideas, and learn from leaders who’ve walked the path before them.
The 2025-2026 cohort kicked off their experience with a virtual welcome call on September 15, where members met the CooperVision® Professional and Academic Affairs team and began building connections with fellow society members from across North America. The energy and enthusiasm from that first meeting set the tone for what promises to be a transformative year.
These programs aren’t just about professional development—they’re about helping students see themselves as part of a larger community, one that’s committed to advancing patient care and shaping the future of optometry. Whether through a conversation with a mentor or a collaborative project with fellow students, the experience often leaves participants with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
As the 2025–2026 academic year begins, CooperVision continues to support these emerging leaders. To learn more about the Student Leadership Societies and other academic programs, visit CooperVision’s Academic Programs page.
