CooperVision has announced the selection of 37 third-year optometry students to its Student Leadership Society for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Representing schools and colleges of optometry across the United States and Canada, the students were selected by their faculty to serve 1-year terms in the program, which provides educational, networking, and professional development opportunities. As part of the program, participants will attend a summit at CooperVision's facility in Gilbert, Arizona and will also have opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders throughout the academic year. They also received travel grants to attend the 2026 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,” said Tyler Kitzman, OD, FAAO, academic affairs senior advisor at CooperVision, in a press release. He added: “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."

Additional information about the program is available through CooperVision's Student Leadership Society.

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