ACOE_Self-Study

Academic Affairs, working with the Department of Biological and Vision Sciences, the Department of Clinical Education, and in collaboration with the office of Student Affairs, developed two programs to identify and assist the struggling student learner. Further details about these programs – the Academic Advising Program and Clinical Remediation Program – can be found under Standard 1.3. All student transcripts are screened each semester, and those students experiencing academic difficulty are reviewed by the faculty Committee on Course and Standing, which reports to the dean. This committee may recommend modified schedules, academic counseling or other remedial actions to the vice president for academic affairs. Career Placement Assistance The Career Development Center (CDC), established in 2012 as a priority of the 2008 – 2013 Strategic Plan, was created to meet the career needs of SUNY Optometry students, residents and alumni. Through events such as the Family of Mentors Program (FMP) ( Appendix VI-12 ) and the Annual SUNY Optometry Career Symposium, the CDC creates opportunities for busy students and professionals to connect and create meaningful relationships important to career development and career advancement. Descriptions of recent Annual Career Symposia can be found in Appendices VI-13a and VI-13b . Many individualized services are also available for the College community including career counseling, help improving interviewing and resume writing skills. The SUNY FMP is an online and in- person program that was developed to enhance students’ and residents’ personal, academic, and career development and to expand professional networks for students, residents and mentors. FMP seeks to capitalize on the vast network of SUNY alumni, professional organizations and partners from which to recruit the most talented mentors to develop our outstanding student body. We have been able to tap into the vast SUNY Optometry network by partnering with the Office of Alumni Affairs and utilizing the services of Graduway, an online "alumni" platform that offers our institution our first virtual network. The platform allows anyone in our network to filter users by important parameters such as residencies, mode of practice, and location. Students and residents can simply access the portal and check its directory to look for mentors who have indicated they are willing to help, and find their perfect match. The mission of FMP is to connect students of optometry and residents with mentors in order to foster a trusting and long-lasting relationship that helps to develop students and residents personally, academically and professionally and allows the mentors opportunities to share wisdom and expertise, develop interpersonal communication, motivation, coaching, counseling, and leadership skills, and build professional networks. As part of the third-year professional curriculum, students are required to pass a semester length practice management course ( Optometric Practice in a Changing Health Care Environment ) that provides information on private and group practice, practice as an independent contractor,

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