Meet Dr. Alicia Feis, ASCO President
A Short Conversation with Dr. Alicia Feis, ASCO President
During ASCO’s Annual Business meeting in June, ASCO swears in a new President for the upcoming 12 months. This year, Dr. Alicia Feis was sworn in as ASCO’s President.
Dr. Alicia Feis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biopsychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry. She completed her postdoctoral residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Feis was in private practice in Fort Collins, Colorado, before joining Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry in 2011. She became the Dean of the Arizona College of Optometry in 2019, previously serving as the Assistant Director, Clinical Rotations, the Assistant Dean and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the college.
She also serves as a Professor at the Midwestern University Eye Institute in the pediatrics clinic.
Dr. Feis is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). She serves as a clinical director for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program, Site Principal Investigator for the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) and was the recipient of the 2017 Arizona Optometric Association Young Optometrist of the Year Award.
Dr. Feis chatted with ASCO’s Director of Communications, Kimberly O’Sullivan to talk about the upcoming year.
ASCO: Dr. Feis, congratulations on becoming ASCO President. You are also the Dean at the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University. Please tell me about your experience at your school and your optometry career up to this point.
Dr. Alicia Feis: Thank you, Kim. It’s an honor to serve as ASCO President and to share a bit about my journey with you. I began my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I majored in biopsychology. While I initially planned to pursue pediatric medicine, an undergraduate course on health professions opened my eyes to other opportunities in healthcare. After speaking with several Doctors of Optometry, I realized that optometry combined many of the qualities I valued most in medicine: building long-term relationships with patients, supporting families and children, and making a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives.
I went on to earn my Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO), followed by a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at the Illinois College of Optometry. I later entered private practice in Fort Collins, Colorado, before being invited back to SCCO as an adjunct faculty member. That opportunity sparked my passion for academic optometry. Since then, I have been privileged to mentor students, shape academic programs, and now serve as Dean at the Arizona College of Optometry.
ASCO: That sounds great. How do you think your career has positioned you to be both Dean of your College of Optometry and ASCO president?
AF: My career path in academia has provided me with unique preparation for leadership at both the institutional and national levels. When I joined a new school of optometry early in my academic career, I was immersed in many firsts, including the accreditation process from the very beginning. That experience underscored for me how critical standards, accountability, and continuous improvement are to the success of our institutions and, ultimately, to the profession. At the same time, I served as a course director for three new courses while providing patient care, which gave me a deep appreciation for the balance between teaching, clinical service, and curriculum development.
As I advanced into roles as Assistant Director, Clinical Rotations, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; and now Dean, I gained broad exposure to every aspect of academic leadership, from curriculum oversight to faculty development, student success, and clinical operations. These experiences reinforced the skills of collaboration, strategic planning, and advocacy that are essential for ASCO leadership. My engagement with student and PEDIG research has also emphasized the vital role scholarship plays in advancing both education and patient care. Collectively, these experiences have positioned me well to serve ASCO and our profession.
ASCO: Thank you. Now let’s talk about ASCO. What are you looking forward to most as President of ASCO? What will be some of your top priorities this year?
AF: As ASCO President, I am most excited about strengthening communication, community, and alignment across our profession. Optometry’s future depends on collaboration, and ASCO is uniquely positioned to bring together our schools and colleges with national organizations to pursue shared goals that advance education, licensure, and patient care.
A top priority this year will be supporting conversations around licensure and assessment. These issues are evolving, and by working in partnership with groups such as the AAO, AOA, NBEO, and others, we can ensure that solutions are shaped collectively from within optometry. At the same time, ASCO will continue to strengthen the applicant pipeline, focusing not only on increasing numbers but also on attracting a talented, diverse group of future optometrists.
Finally, I look forward to working with the ASCO Board and welcoming several new leaders into our community. Together, we must be proactive in navigating broader changes in higher education, including federal policy shifts that affect all of us. By strengthening communication and advocacy at every level, I am confident that ASCO can help our institutions flourish and, ultimately, benefit the entire optometric profession.
ASCO: I don’t think we talk enough about academic optometry. Can you elaborate more about being a Doctor of Optometry working in academia?
AF: For me, academic optometry is one of the most fulfilling ways to practice because it brings together the best of patient care, teaching, and leadership. Students constantly challenge me to think differently, and their energy keeps me passionate about the profession. Each day is different; whether I’m in the classroom, clinic, or working alongside colleagues to shape the college, it’s the variety that keeps me engaged and inspired.
What I value most is the lasting impact we have in academia. We don’t just treat today’s patients; we help prepare the next generation of doctors who will care for communities across the country. That sense of legacy, combined with the daily joy of working with students and faculty, is why I believe academic optometry is so meaningful.
ASCO: Let’s get to know you on a personal level better. What hobbies do you have? What do you do for fun?
AF: Most of my free time is spent with my family, my husband, our two children who are five and eight, and our extended family whenever we can all be together. My kids keep me on my toes every day, and I love seeing the world through their eyes. We spend a lot of time playing board games, traveling, hiking Arizona’s trails, and, of course, being in or on the water, whether swimming or water sports.
My husband and I also enjoy exploring Arizona’s incredible food scene, and when things finally quiet down, I like to relax with a good leadership book or unwind and binge-watch a good drama television series. At the end of the day, if I’m with my family, outside, or enjoying good food, I’m exactly where I want to be.
ASCO: Tell me more about your school. Particularly Arizona. On a personal note, it was one of the first schools I ever visited since working at ASCO. It’s such a beautiful campus. Arizona is a stunning state.
AF: I’ve learned more about cacti than I ever thought I would since moving here, but you’re right, both the campus and the state are stunning. Midwestern University takes great pride in maintaining a welcoming and beautiful environment, and our facilities are continuously updated so students have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and clinical spaces. Even though our college is just over 15 years old, we’ve already completed renovations that reflect our commitment to growth and innovation.
What makes the Arizona College of Optometry truly special is not just our facilities or location, but the people. We have built an incredibly supportive, student-centered environment, and our dedicated faculty and staff are at the heart of that. They bring expertise, mentorship, and genuine care that help our students thrive. Combined with rigorous clinical training, diverse patient care opportunities, and the interprofessional experiences that come from being part of a comprehensive healthcare university, it’s a place where students feel both challenged and supported. It’s truly a beautiful setting paired with a rich, supportive culture and student-focused experience.
ASCO: Thank you. Speaking of Arizona, what are some of your favorite places to go? What would you recommend people visit when they are in town?
AF: Arizona has so many beautiful places to visit, it’s hard to choose just a few. The Desert Botanical Garden is always a favorite, and during the holidays, their seasonal light shows make it even more special. Camelback Mountain, right in the heart of Phoenix, is another highlight. It’s a challenging mile-long hike, but the view of the city from the top is stunning. Sedona is also a must-see, with its famous red rocks and cooler temperatures than Phoenix, making it a perfect summer escape.
And of course, I would be remiss not to mention the Grand Canyon, one of the true wonders of the world. I have to confess, though, I still haven’t made it there myself yet!
ASCO: We like to ask everyone we speak with to say something about the field of optometry that people may not know. Or what would you say to someone with the aptitude for optometry but may not know about the field?
AF: One of the things people may not realize is how central optometry is to healthcare. Beyond vision correction, we diagnose and manage eye disease, detect systemic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and often serve as the entry point into the healthcare system. We work closely with ophthalmology and other health professionals, and our role is essential to ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
What also still surprises me is that optometry is not always top of mind when students think about health professions. I recently spoke with a student through my sorority (Alpha Phi) career mentorship program who was planning to pursue medicine and had never even considered optometry. After hearing about the variety of opportunities within the field, she is now excited to explore it, and to me, that captures the point. As a pediatric optometrist, I especially value the connection between vision and learning. Helping children see clearly can transform their success in school, and I love that I can also care for patients of all ages, often solving problems quickly in ways that leave people walking out of the office happy, not fearful. To me, optometry is a hidden gem in healthcare that should not remain a secret!
Thank you for your time, Dr. Feis. We look forward to having a very productive year ahead.