2024 Annual Report

TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF OPTOMETRY

a community where new students were welcomed with open arms and invited to join the family. From the start, I was paired with a big sister and a peer mentor who gave me advice and encouragement. During club presentations, the upperclassmen encouraged our involvement through roles like “first year liaison,” which is the position I currently hold in Student Chapter of American Public Health Association (SAPHA). We also shadow third- and fourth-year students during integrative seminar and have social events together. The student body is a cohesive whole where we learn and grow together. It’s clear that the curriculum was built meticulously and I’m often appreciative of the way most classes deliberately overlap to reinforce our knowledge and clinical skills. There are so many modes of learning between labs, lecture, clinic observations, and specialty speakers, which cater to individual learning needs and ensure that no one falls behind. Q: What advice or insights would you give to a student considering SUNY College of Optometry and why? Aside from the warm school community and strong academics, SUNY College of Optometry is in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the world. There is so much to do and it’s all right in front of you! You will never be bored. If you’re a resident of New York, SUNY’s in-state tuition is one of the most affordable in the nation; and if you’re not a resident you can file for residency after your first year to receive the same benefits. Choosing a school is an important decision,

but I am definitely happy with my choice.

Q: Recently you spoke about being a first generation college student— why is this meaningful for you? I was born into a strong culture where women are discouraged from working outside of the home. My mother was valedictorian of her elementary school, but dropped out of school at the age of 16 to marry my father, who was 27 years old at the time. My father went to school in Syria and was beaten there, so he dropped out as soon as he could. My parents never had the opportunity to develop their academic potential, but I always knew that it was important to me to do things differently. At SUNY, there is an abundance of female strength, brilliance, and accomplishment that I revel in, and I’m inspired every day by our diverse student body. Regardless of where you come from, you belong here. Q: Is there a particular area of optometry and/or eye care that intrigues you? Perhaps an area you would like to specialize in while you are a student here? Yes, although I have not taken ocular disease courses yet, it is an area that I find intriguing. The professors include clinical correlations to the content that we learn, and I have always found those sections to be the most interesting. I am also considering residency in the emergency room, where I’d be exposed to various types of trauma. I enjoy fast-paced, high-pressure environments so I feel that it may be a good fit. Also, I’d be able to apply my knowledge and skills in a very different way to gain a unique set of experiences.

Yolette Bukai, ‘28

Yolette Bukai is a proud member of the Class of 2028. Yolette shared her insights on being a first-year student at SUNY College of Optometry as she begins her optometric journey. Q: As a first-year student, what excites you most about being at SUNY College of Optometry? I haven’t been here for very long, but I can already confidently say that this is a very special place. I learned early on that this school is as a SUNY Optometry Student Seeing New Horizons

8 SUNY OPTOMETRY ANNUAL REPORT