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Choosing an optometry school is not just looking at National Board performance. That is important, but really this decision is about how you want to learn, where you want to train, which patients you hope to serve, and what kind of clinician you want to become. For the 2026-27 application cycle, strong applicants will need more than solid grades and a complete OptomCAS file. They will need a clear school list, a thoughtful reason for each program, and an interview style th

Leaving a job in higher education can feel like closing a chapter in your career. Whether you are moving to a new institution, getting a promotion, or pursuing other opportunities - how you leave matters! Burning bridges with colleagues, supervisors, or the institution itself can create lasting challenges for your career. Maintaining professional relationships when you leave higher education opens doors for future collaborations, references, and personal growth. Let me poi

(This is a sneak peak of the new book that I am writing with Dr. Josephine Ibironke. We are excited about it and hope you will be, too!) Have you ever heard or read that academic leadership is one of the most complex endeavors that a person can undertake? We have heard these statements many times and believe them to be true! Having both served in faculty and administrative roles in higher education, we have lived this experience. Our careers have been challenging, rewardi

I recently read the book Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet. This book, written in 2012, chronicles Capt. Marquet’s experiences in leading a nuclear submarine with a new approach. Frustrated with a top-down, unquestioning approach by most military leaders, he set out to modify his submarine. He believed in a leader-leader approach of full empowerment of his staff. For me, this book was a hard read because of all the US Navy terminology such as XO, Nav, Sonarman, or

Some time ago, I wrote a blog about optometry interviews. At that time, I recommended three things: 1) "Tell some stories!" 2) "Show your personality!" 3) "Demonstrate your passion!" I still believe this is very valuable information, but I do want to dig into this topic a little deeper. It is true that preparing for an optometry school interview can feel a bit overwhelming. The competition is real and the interview is a critical step in the admissions process. I've oft

Eyes in Eyecare produces an annual report from surveying practicing optometrists in the USA and Canada. This year, they summed up their survey by stating, "Overall, optometrists in 2025 are engaged with advocacy efforts and new innovations in the field, with their average awareness and adoption rate of new eyecare innovations higher than 2024 averages. Overall debt among respondents is lower than that reported in the 2024 survey, and the current average salary has risen; how