About Us | American Optometric Student Association

Our Pillars

Education

AOSA is the primary resource for providing supplemental, student-focused educational opportunities yearlong.

Advocacy

Representing the optometric student voice at all levels of government, while simultaneously empowering our members to become advocates for their future profession.

Tools for Success

Equipping students with the tools to transition from a student to a doctor of optometry.

Student Experience

Building a stronger optometric community by engaging with fellow students.

50 Years of AOSA

1968

The AOSA is founded under its original founders.

1969

AOSA’s second president, Bob Mittleman, an optometry student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), is elected from health professional student groups to represent them in testimony before a U.S. Senate subcommittee.

1971

The first AOSA Congress is held in Houston, Texas. Tony Distefano, a PCO student, testifies before a congressional subcommittee on public health regarding the necessity of continuing student benefits and institutions through the Health Professions Education Assistance Act.

1972

AOA approves new bylaws at AOSA Congress; membership rises to 80 percent of optometry students from across the country, representing all schools of optometry.

1974

AOA grants AOSA voting privileges in the House of Delegates.

1982

AOSA is now the second largest independent association in optometry with 90 percent membership among optometry students nationwide; first serious discussions about affiliating with AOA begin.

1984

David Nelson, a student at Indiana University School of Optometry, is elected 17th president of AOSA. He later served as AOA president (2001-02); the only individual who has held both posts.

1985

Beth Kneib is elected the AOSA’s 18th president. She is the first woman to hold the post and joins three other female officers to make up the first all-female executive council.

1988

At AOSA’s 18th Congress, its Board of Trustees unanimously approve the motion to become an AOA affiliate. AOA House of Delegates unanimously approves AOSA as an affiliate.

1992

The Varilux Optometry Super Bowl (now called the Essilor® Optometry Student Bowl) debuts at the 22nd annual AOSA conference in Chicago. AOSA membership in optometry schools is at an all-time high in optometry schools at 97 percent.

1993

A resolution is passed and a letter is sent by AOSA Vice President Suzanne Scott to Hillary Rodham Clinton, chair of the White House Task Force on Health Care Reform, urging her to support AOA’s “10 points of concern” regarding reform.

1994

The second all-female AOSA Executive Council operates under the leadership of President Kelly Kinney Nichols, current Dean of the University of Alabama School of Optometry.

1999

A resolution is passed that the AOA Standards of Conduct, AOA Optometric Oath and AOA code of Ethics be included for all first-year students in optometry schools.

2003

After years of discussion, the AOSA and the AOA further elevate the organizations’ relationship by holding the first joint annual meeting: the 106th Annual AOA Congress and the 33rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry ‘s Meeting®.

2009

Students join AOA at Capitol Hill for AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference (now called AOA on Capitol Hill).

2014

Devin Sasser (University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry 2015 graduate) is the first African American elected as AOSA president.

2015

The AOSA purpose statement is updated by its Board of Trustees: “The purpose of the American Optometric Student Association is to improve the visual welfare and health of the public, to promote the profession of optometry and lifelong commitment to the AOA and AOA state affiliates, and to enhance the education and welfare of optometry students.”

2017

A record 2,300 students and new doctors of optometry attend the inaugural AOA+ rally on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn during Optometry’s Meeting®. AOA unveils AOA+ Leadership Link, connecting students with AOA optometric leaders.

2018

AOSA celebrates its 50th anniversary with the unveiling of its new logo and cake cutting at 2018 Optometry’s Meeting®. AOSA represents more than 6,500 students from all 25 schools and colleges of optometry.