BUSINESS SUNY College of Optometry Expands Its DE&I Initiatives Within the Profession and Student Community By Staff Sunday, November 26, 2023 12:56 AM RELATED CONTENT Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Latinos en Optometry Builds a Range of Resources and Events Across the ECP and Patient Community New England College of Optometry Deepens Its DE&I Commitments, Partnerships and Sponsored Pathways Black EyeCare Perspective Expands Partnerships and Outreach to Future Black Optometrists Transitions Diversity Advisory Board Widens Its Initiatives The Vision Council Expands Its Scholarship Program and Will Address DE&I Issues at Its Summit VSP Vision Expands Awareness of DEI Issues Inside and Outside Its Organization SUNY College of Optometry has been expanding its commitment to DE&I efforts for several years. The college’s Office of Continuing Professional Education held the Annual Race in Optometry webinar last summer. Titled “Race in Optometry: Headwinds - Exploring Emerging Barriers to Success,” the virtual session was held June 28, 2023. The wide-ranging discussion is now available to view live, along with prior panels in the signature series. The “Headwinds” discussion was held just prior to the June 29 U.S. Supreme Court decision about affirmative action in college and university admissions processes, which drew concern and renewed commitment to diversity initiatives among optometry groups. The SUNY Optometry series launched in 2020 to stimulate a national, ongoing conversation on race and equity within the profession of optometry. Moderated by Dr. Joy Harewood, chief diversity officer and associate clinical professor at SUNY College of Optometry, the discussion included 10 panelists. This year’s lecture offered a variety of perspectives ranging from legal considerations, barriers to success, and increased efforts to maintain and continue to grow diversity. “SUNY College of Optometry is a leader in looking at ways to improve diversity across the field of optometry including leading conversations such as the Race in Optometry series,” observed SUNY Optometry president Dr. David A. Heath. “The College remains committed to DEIB and will work within the new guidelines to continue to advance the principles of diversity, belonging and inclusion across the optometric workforce. The impact of this critical work extends beyond the walls of our campus and impacts the population health of the diverse patient community we serve,” Dr. Heath said. The most recent panel discussion, titled “Race in Optometry: Headwinds - Exploring Emerging Barriers to Success,” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32zwCMYlmGA. For those who missed previous Race in Optometry sessions, they are available at these links: Part 1 - Race in Optometry: An Honest Conversation www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kgeZpelsf0 Part 2 - Race in Optometry: Seeking Solutions www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVqAzgYrwoc Part 3 - Race in Optometry: Diversity and Leadership in the Optometric Industry and the Profession www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VQfjtI9Gro Part 4 - Race in Optometry - Accountability - One Year Later www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU_AEmCNEJM Part 5 - Race in Optometry: Where Are We Now Two Years Later? www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlnFlcNV5E Another highlight for SUNY Optometry this year was that its Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP) received the 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from under-represented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). SUNY Optometry was featured, along with 79 other recipients, in the September 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “I’m very proud of the significant impact we’ve made in the last seven years,” noted Quy H. Nguyen, OD, director of Minority Enrichment (CSTEP). “When I began my role, we had 3 CSTEP students matriculating at SUNY, to this past 21-22 cycle it had increased to 19 enrolled CSTEP students—that is a 533 percent increase. I am proud of the work of my office and all of our staff and administrators who have supported us and our wonderful students along the way. “It is indeed inspiring to see increasing diversity at the College, the wonderful community that we’ve built, and most importantly, graduating more and more culturally-competent doctors that play a pivotal role in health disparities.” As its primary objective, the CSTEP program at SUNY College of Optometry exists to increase the number of historically under-represented minority students in STEM targeted professions, most particularly in the growing and dynamic profession of optometry. The program is open to all New York State residents who are economically disadvantaged and a member of an underrepresented community. SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Only 2 percent of all optometrists in America identify as Black, and the majority of medical students overall, about 75 percent, come from households with income levels in the top 40 percent. Programs like CSTEP at SUNY College of Optometry are actively working to change these statistics by increasing the representation of professionals of color and students from low income households in this field.” Throughout the past decade, over 420 participants have benefited from SUNY Optometry’s CSTEP program as they explore STEM and health care related fields. Uniquely, the CSTEP students who enroll in SUNY Optometry become part of the SUNY Optometry Irises cohort which provides academic and mentoring support throughout their time at the college.