Newsroom > People & Purpose > Scholarships > VSP Vision and American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award Nearly $200,000 in Scholarships
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – Today, VSP Vision™ and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) announced the recipients of the 2025 Practice Excellence Scholarship. Funded by VSP Vision and administered by AAOF, nearly $200,000 was awarded to 50 top-performing, fourth-year optometry students at the accredited optometry schools in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
"We’re proud to champion the future of optometry and support these exceptional students as they pursue their dreams and embark on meaningful careers in eye care," said Michelle Skinner, Chief Provider and Industry Solutions Officer. "These scholarships are one of the many ways we are doubling down on the future of the optometric profession.”
Recipients of the Practice Excellence Scholarship also received a travel grant to attend Academy 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. As VSP Vision marks its 70th anniversary, the organization has awarded 70 scholarships throughout 2025. To date, VSP Vision has awarded over $4 million in scholarships to nearly 1,200 optometry students.
"Each year, we’re inspired by the outstanding academic and clinical achievements of the Practice Excellence Scholarship recipients," said Valerie Sharpe, OD, FAAO, President, Board of Directors of the American Academy of Optometry Foundation. "This new generation of optometrists is well-equipped to shape the future of eye care, and we appreciate our continued partnership with VSP Vision as we work together to empower the future of optometry."
Recipients of the 2025 Practice Excellence Scholarship include:
• Janet Garcia – Drexel University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry • Katherine Franklin – Drexel University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry • Elizabeth Chen – Illinois College of Optometry • Kara Katzung – Illinois College of Optometry • Kaitlin Doverspike – Indiana University School of Optometry • Maxwell Bonghi – Indiana University School of Optometry • Afzal Suleiman – Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry • Kendall Adrian – Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry • Austin Thomas – Kentucky College of Optometry at University of Pikeville • Deanna Dale – Kentucky College of Optometry at University of Pikeville • Abby Taylor – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences • Jillian Camara – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences • Alan Lanier – Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University • Kody Drewer – Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University • Benjamin Malmanger – Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry • Colby Charette – Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry • Linneaa Nguyen – Midwestern University – Chicago College of Optometry • Lucy Adlfinger – Midwestern University – Chicago College of Optometry • Gabriella Grand-Pierre – New England College of Optometry • Kelli McInnis – New England College of Optometry • Corbin Lill – Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry • Lan Nguyen – Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry • Alexis Patience – Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry • Jessica Soto – Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry • Alexa Wong – Pacific University College of Optometry • Dana Ferguson – Pacific University College of Optometry • Amy Le – Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University • Payton Oxner – Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University • Evan Sims – Southern College of Optometry • Jacob Belus – Southern College of Optometry • Andrea Chang – State University of New York College of Optometry • Nicholas Premnauth – State University of New York College of Optometry • Sanchi Kalra – The Ohio State University College of Optometry • Sandy Huynh – The Ohio State University College of Optometry • Mai Nguyen – UC Berkeley – Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science • Nastasya Liem – UC Berkeley – Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science • Alexandra Campbell – University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry • Anna Q Ren – University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry • Madeline Fossitt – University of Houston College of Optometry • Uyen Ha – University of Houston College of Optometry • Emerald Jones – University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry • Kaylee Willner – University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry • Amanda Aoun – University of Montreal School of Optometry • Claire Li – University of Montreal School of Optometry • Jarrett Lieder – University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry • Rachel Mora – University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry • Helen Liang – University of Waterloo • Paige Wagar – University of Waterloo • Braeden Rake – Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry • Catelyn Price – Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
To learn more about all the scholarship opportunities VSP Vision offers, visit vspproviderhub.com/scholarships.
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About VSP Vision At VSP Vision™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP has been a leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for millions of members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Eyes of Hope®. To date, more than 4.3 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.