Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS.
ROCKVILLE, Md.—Pacific University College of Optometry dean Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS has been elected president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). She is the first woman elected to the office of the president.

Dr. Smythe will head the association comprising of 21 schools and colleges of optometry across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“A goal of mine this year is to increase awareness of the value of inter-professional education,” she said. “Optometry is a very diverse field and inter-professional education will only enhance the experience of our students but also the patients they serve.”

“Because of Dr. Smythe’s passion for our profession and concern for the future of optometric education, she will be an excellent leader for ASCO in the upcoming year,” said Dori Carlson, OD, past-president of the American Optometric Association www.aoa.org.

ASCO’s Executive Committee Board of Directors comprise of: Dr. Jennifer Smythe, dean of Pacific University, College of Optometry; Dr. Linda Casser, dean of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University; Dr. Richard Philips, president of Southern College of Optometry; Dr. Clifford Scott, president of The New England College of Optometry; Dr. David A. Heath, president of State University of New York; Dr. Arol R. Augsburger, president of Illinois College of Optometry; Dr. Joseph Bonanno, dean of Indiana University, School of Optometry; Dr. Andrew Buzelli, dean of the University of The Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry; Dr. David A. Damari, dean of Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University; Dr. Larry J. Davis, dean of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry; Dr. Elizabeth Hoppe, founding dean of Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry; Dr. David Jarnagin, dean of Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry; Dr. David S. Loshin, dean of Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry; Dr. Rod Nowakowski, dean of University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry; Dr. Andres Pagan, dean of Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry; Dr. Douglas K. Penisten, dean of Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry; Dr. Shilpa Register, professor of optometry and interim dean of MCPHA University, School of Optometry; Dr. Melvin D. Shipp, dean and professor of Ohio State University, College of Optometry; Dr. Earl Smith, III, dean of the university of Houston, College of Optometry; and Dr. Stanley Woo, dean of Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University.

Dr. Smythe’s term as president is from July1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is a non-profit association representing the interests of optometric education.