Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a primary means of implementing ASCO’s mission of “fulfilling the leadership role in the optometric education enterprise” and for addressing the Association’s Strategic Objectives of faculty development and faculty involvement. They are a practical way to meet special needs and interests within the optometric education enterprise.
SIG Contacts
Advancement
Dawn Rigney (SUNY), Chair
drigney@sunyopt.edu
Binocular Vision and Perception Educators
Dr. Alaina Bandstra (ICO), Chair
ABandstra@ico.edu
Biomedical Science Educators
Dr. Steve Pittler (UAB), Chair
pittler@uab.edu
Clinical Directors/Administrators
Dr. Scott Klemens (PUCO), Chair
klemens@pacificu.edu
Clinical Optometric Methods & Procedures Instructors
Dr. Eunice Myung Lee (SCCOMBKU), Co-chair
emyung@ketchum.edu
Dr. Ashley Speilburg (ICO), Co-chair
AScheurer@ico.edu
Continuing Education Directors
Katherine Clore (UAB), Co-chair
kclore@uab.edu
Kathy Trammell (UAB), Co-chair
ktram@uab.edu
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Keshia Elder (UAB), Chair
kselder@uab.edu
Educational Technology
Dr. Thomas Wong (SUNY), Chair
tawong@sunyopt.edu
Ethics Educators
Dr. Erick Mothersbaugh (ICO), Chair
emothersbaugh@ico.edu
Externship Directors
kselder@uab.edu
Dr. John Nishimoto, Co-chair
jnishimoto@ketchum.edu
International Optometric Educators
Dr. Meng Meng Xu (NECO), Chair
xum@neco.edu
Dr. John Nishimoto (MBKU), Vice Chair
jnishimoto@ketchum.edu
Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
Dr. Melissa Zarn (SCO), Chair
mzarn@sco.edu
Low Vision Educators
Dr. Kathleen Boland (UMSL), Chair
bolandk@umsl.edu
Neuro-rehab Educators
Dr. Katherine Green (NOVA), Chair
kgreen2@nova.edu
Ophthalmic Optics Educators
Dr. Maria Armandi (PCO), Co-Chair
marmandi@salus.edu
Dr. Rachel Brackley (PCO), Co-Chair
rbrackley@salus.edu
Public Health Educators
Dr. Meng Xu, Chair
Xum@neco.edu
Dr. Jennifer Hue, Chair-elect jhue@sunyopt.edu
Residency Educators
Dr. Dawn Goedde (OSU), Co-Chair
goedde.11@osu.edu
Dr. Don Lyon (IUSO), Co-Chair
dwlyon@indiana.edu
Vision Science Librarians
Rudy Barreras (WUCO), Co-chair
rbarreras@westernu.edu
Heather Edmonds (NECO), Co-chair
edmondsh@neco.edu
