CooperVision has announced the members of its Student Leadership Society for the 2026-2027 academic year.
These 37 students, representing schools and colleges of optometry across Canada and the U.S., will take part in educational and professional development opportunities throughout the year. This includes a summit at CooperVision’s Gilbert, Arizona facility, a travel grant to attend the 2026 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting, and networking with peers and industry leaders.
Student Leadership Society members are third-year optometry students selected by their faculty to serve a one-year term.
“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. “As contact lenses remain a vital part of optometric practice, the students will be immersed in all aspects of contact lenses, from clinical to practice management to best-in-class patient care.”
The 2026-2027 CooperVision Student Leadership Society members are:
- Emily Beer, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Hunter Bentley, Ferris State University, Michigan College of Optometry
- 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, Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
- 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, The 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, Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
- Prieyankaa Nirmalan, New England College of Optometry
- Chidera Okeleke, The 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, The 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
