ASCO Holds the 5th Summer Institute for Faculty Development Program

July 18, 2013

Rockville, MD, July 18, 2013 – The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) www.opted.org, held its 5th Summer Institute for Faculty Development Program (SIFD) July 14-17, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri at the Eric P. Newman Education Center.

This year’s program comprised of 47 colleagues from 20 schools and colleges of optometry and two affiliate schools who have been full time faculty members for 16 years or less. The SIFD was kick started by Dr. Charles Haine, EMRlogic Systems, who gave an empowering keynote address entitled “How to Succeed in Academic Optometry Without Really Trying”.  The following three days, attendees attended educational workshops in the areas teaching and learning, scholarship, and academic culture. Each attendee developed long-term career plans with specific goals, objectives and action strategies and was mentored in this process by the program faculty.  Participants also networked with their peers, as well as with sponsors to learn of their latest products and services available to the industry.

The SIFD builds on ASCO’s major initiative, addressing its strategic priority of “Faculty Promotion and Development” and was formed for the purpose of “providing participants with an opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their success in an optometric academic environment as lifelong productive faculty, thus contributing to increased retention of faculty in the schools and colleges of optometry.”  The program is held biennially (in odd years). The SIFD is valued by the deans and presidents from the schools and colleges of optometry because it helps attendees become a more valuable resource to their institutions. SIFD attendees return to their institutions excited and rejuvenated to implement real solutions and new ideas to use immediately.

ASCO wishes to thank Alcon, Essilor, Luxottica, Vistakon, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and Allergan for their contributions to the program. Without them, the SIFD would not be possible.

For more information regarding ASCO and its programs, please visit www.opted.org or contact ASCO, 301-231-5944.

 

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ABOUT ASCO

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is the academic leadership organization committed to promoting, advancing and achieving excellence in optometric education. Since 1941, ASCO has achieved this vision by representing the interests of institutions of optometric education, enhancing the efforts of these institutions as they prepare highly qualified graduates for entrance into the profession of optometry and serving the public’s eye and vision needs.

ASCO proudly represents all accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the fifty states and Puerto Rico. Our organization’s affiliate members include the Canadian schools of optometry, other foreign schools, allied organizations, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

ASCO’s activities cover a wide range of programs including applicant development and diversity, faculty and executive development, advocacy, residency promotion, data development, and communications.