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The Ohio State University
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Diversity

Kani Brown ('11)

Find out more about our second annual Diversity Dialogues event that focused on the topic of "Career Conversations."
Learn more about our current diversity endeavors that were recently introduced at the EastWest Eye Conference!
The College of Optometry values and supports diversity among its faculty, students, and staff. We promote an atmosphere of mutual respect and inclusion within our classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. These efforts were recognized by the National Optometric Association (NOA) which named The Ohio State University College of Optometry 'School of the Year' for 2004.

There are many resources available at the college, including mentoring, student organization involvement, individualized assistance programs and financial aid for minority students. Resources are also available through campus-wide efforts made at The Ohio State University. All of these resources and opportunities can connect students to networks that cross college boundaries and introduce students to leaders across campus and in the Columbus community.

Improving Diversity of Optometric Careers (I-DOC)
http://optometry.osu.edu/IDOC

I-DOC is a three-day program conducted by the Diversity Enhancement Committee of the OSU College of Optometry to educate ethnically under-represented minority students (college and high school) about a career in optometry. During the program, participants shadow optometry students and local doctors, learn the fundamentals of the eye and vision, and gain a better understanding of the importance of diversity in health care. Past sponsors have included the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, I Know I Can, Optometric Educators Incorporated, and Essilor.

Mentoring

Our Big Sib/Little Sib program matches incoming students with current second year students in the college. Through formal and informal interactions students have the opportunity to gain valuable information, advice, and moral support from their more experienced peers.

"The OSU College of Optometry is committed to the preparation of optometric clinicians who will be clinically ready to address the vision and eye care needs of a multicultural and global community. Cultural competence in health care involves the ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery to meet our patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs."

Melvin D. Shipp, OD, MPH, DrPH
Dean
Financial Aid

A variety of financial aid options are available to students, including scholarships endowed for minority students admitted to the program.

The Welton Scholarship is an endowment established by Dr. and Mrs. H.E. Welton, of Cleveland to provide loans and scholarships for black and Hispanic students in the College of Optometry. Dr. Welton, in 1938, was the first African American person to receive a degree in optometry from Ohio State.

Additional scholarships are available through the National Optometric Student Association, National Association of Medical Minority Educators (NAMME), and other similar organizations.

National Optometric Student Association (NOSA)
http://www.natoptassoc.org

NOSA is open to all students in the college. This organization promotes the recruitment and retention of minority students in optometry. Students in NOSA also have opportunities to participate in guest lecture series, volunteer events and in mentoring pre-optometry students.


Diversity Enhancement Committee (DEC)

The Diversity Enhancement Committee is a collaboration of faculty, staff and students seeking to find ways to increase diversity in the college and in our clinics. Students can serve on this committee, attend the Diversity Lecture Series, suggest guest lecturers and topics, and assist in specialized recruitment events.

The Hale Center

The Hale Center, located just a few blocks from the College of Optometry, develops and maintains supportive programs and activities for the enrichment and advancement of all students. The Hale Center provides meeting space, computer labs, classrooms and lounge areas for students in addition to an extensive art gallery which includes works from nationally recognized artists and minority alumni of The Ohio State University.

"I believe that improving the diversity of optometric learners is crucial to the future of our profession. Diversity efforts help to insure that optometric graduates are sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients from all walks of life. A diverse optometric workforce better reflects the face of our multicultural society and helps us provide compassionate and competent health care."

Jacqueline Davis, OD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry
Office of International Education (OIE)
http://www.oie.ohio-state.edu

OIE provides programs, services and written materials for international students and scholars to assist them in achieving their educational and personal goals and serves as the focal point on campus to organize, coordinate, and integrate diversified areas of responsibility on the campus and in the community to respond to the needs of international students, scholars, and their families.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)
http://odi.osu.edu

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides services in the areas of academic advancement, specialized programs and lectures, and mentoring. In addition, ODI assists with campus and community-wide cultural events, orientation programs for minority students and with the Frank W. Hale Cultural Center.

"The faculty here at Ohio State is constantly looking for ways to improve both the program and our community. The changes that do occur directly reflect the needs and opinions of the students. Continuous attention to the students in addition to our rigorous academic program sets Ohio State’s College of Optometry apart from all other schools in the nation."

Amy Lin
Class of 2012
Multicultural Center (MCC)
http://multiculturalcenter.osu.edu

The MCC houses a wealth of offices to support and celebrate the many cultures, lifestyles and interests of the diverse population at Ohio State. The center provides assistance to student organizations, student services, advocacy, and outreach programs for the campus and Columbus communities. In addition to offices focused on each gender and a New Diversity Initiatives area, the center houses the following offices:

  • African American
  • American Indian
  • Asian American
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
  • Hispanic Student Services