Hats Off to Optometry School Leadership

Educating future optometrists is a passion shared by these great optometry leaders at the nation’s schools and colleges of optometry. While this listing calls out the top spots of academic leadership, many associate deans, directors and faculty support the effort to continue to improve and enhance optometric education.

*Updated December 2023

Alabama
	Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, Dean of University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry

Arizona
	Alicia Feis, OD, FAAO, Dean of Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University

California
	Julie A. Schornack, OD, MEd, President of Marshall B. Ketchum University Read her recent story with WO here.
	Eric Borsting, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FCOVD, Dean of Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University
	John Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, Dean of University of California – Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
	Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH, Founding Dean of Western University College of Optometry
	Ida Chung, OD, MSHE, FCOVD, FAAO, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Professor
	Tiffenie Harris, OD, FAAO, Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, Associate Professor

Florida
	Linda S. Rouse, OD, MBA, FAAO, Dean of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
	Rachel A. “Stacey” Coulter, OD, MS, FAAO, FCOVD, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
	Cristina Llerena Law, OD, Ph.D, FAAO, Dipl-ABO, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Illinois
	Mark Colip, OD, President, Illinois College of Optometry
	Stephanie Messner, OD, FAAO, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs of Illinois College of Optometry
	Leonard Messner, OD, FAAO, Vice President for Strategy and Institutional Advancement, Illinois College of Optometry
	Erik Mothersbaugh, OD, FAAO, Dean of Student Affairs, Illinois College of Optometry
	Melissa Suckow, OD, FAAO, Dean of Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University

Indiana
	Rowan Candy, BSc, MCOptom, Ph.D,  Interim Dean of Indiana University, Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
	Suresh Viswanathan, OD, MS, Ph.D.,  Dean, effective June 3, 2024

Kentucky
	Donald J. Egan,, OD, FAAO, Interim Dean of College of Optometry, Professor of Optometry at Kentucky College of Optometry

Massachusetts
	Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President of New England College of Optometry
	Erik Weissberg, OD, FAAO, Dean of Academic Affairs, New England College of Optometry
	Gary Chu, OD, MPH, FAAO, Vice President, Professional Affairs, New England College of Optometry
	Nancy Coletta, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO, Dean, Professor & Associate Dean for Academic Programs of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Optometry
	Larry Baitch, OD, PhD, FAAO, Professor, Associate Dean for Research
	Greg Waldorf, OD, MPH, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs

Michigan
	Daniel A. Taylor, OD, EdD, MS, MBA, FAAO, DipOE, Dean of Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University

Missouri
	Keshia Elder, OD, MS, FAAO, Dean of University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry
	Vinita Allee Henry, OD, FAAO, Associate Dean of Clinical Operations, Clinical
	Julie Ott DeKinder, OD, FAAO, Associate Dean of Academic Programs

New York
	David A. Heath, OD, EdM, President of State University of New York, College of Optometry

Ohio
	Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of The Ohio State University, effective Jan. 1, 2024 She will continue serving as interim dean of the College of Public Health.

Oklahoma
	Douglas Penisten, OD, PhD, Dean of Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
	Nathan Lighthizer, OD, Associate Dean
	Jeffrey Miller, OD, FAAO, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
	Earlena McKee, OD, MS, Assistant Dean

Oregon
	Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, President of Pacific University
	Fraser C. Horn, OD, FAAO, Dean of Pacific University College of Optometry

Pennsylvania
	Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, President of Salus University
	Melissa Trego, OD, PhD, Dean of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
	Maria Parisi, OD, FAAO, Optometric Clinical Affairs, Associate Dean
	Elizabeth Tonkery, OD, MPH, Curriculum and Assessment, Associate Dean
	Bhawan Minhas, OD, FAAO, Accelerated Programs, Associate Dean
	Bisant A. Labib, OD, FAAO, Dipl. CEC, Optometric Special Programs, Associate Dean

Puerto Rico
	Andrés Pagán, OD, MPH, Dean of Inter American University School of Optometry
	Ángel F. Romero Ayala, OD, Dean of Academic Affairs
	Iris R. Cabello, OD, Dean of Student Affairs
	Damaris Pagán, OD, MPH, Dean of Clinical Affairs

Tennessee
	Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, President of Southern College of Optometry
	James Venable, OD, FCOVD, Vice President for Clinical Programs
	J. Bart Campbell, OD, FAAO, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Texas
	Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate, Dean of Rosenberg School of Optometry at University of Incarnate Word
	Michael D. Twa, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dean of University of Houston, College of Optometry
	Andrew M. Archila, OD, MBA, FAAO, Associate Dean for Clinical Operations
	Kimberly Lambreghts, RN, OD, FAAO, Associate Dean For Professional Studies
	Laura J. Frishman, Ph.D., FAAO, FARVO, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research
	Ralph J. Herring, OD, MHA, Assistant Dean for Professional Studies
	Danica Marrelli, OD, FAAO, Assistant Dean for Clinical Education
	Lucy Kehinde Darnell, OD, Ph.D, FAAO, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

 NEW OPTOMETRY SCHOOLS

Utah
	Adam Hickenbotham, OD, MPH, PhD, Founding Dean of the College of Optometry, Rocky Mountain University
	Court Wilkins, OD, MHS, FAAO, Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs
	Donnie Akers, OD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

North Carolina
	Catherine Heyman, OD, Founding Dean at High Point University School of Optometry Read her recent story with WO here.

Read more about ODs who have made their career in academia here.