Student Organizations

You’ll automatically become a member of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) through your student activity fee, and that’s just one of many opportunities you’ll have to build your experience, knowledge, leadership, and network.

• American Academy of Optometry (AAO): Foster research and dissemination of knowledge in vision sciences. The student branch fosters membership and fellowship in the Academy and promotes optometric research.
• Asian Optometry Student Organization (AOSO): Promote the awareness and acceptance of Asian culture and diversity to improve patient care and connect with NECO alumni working in Asia.
• Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK): Volunteer and prepare for licensing exams through an international optometric honor fraternity dedicated to scientific and clinical excellence and high moral standards in the optometric profession.
• Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS): Join a community of 500+ Canadian OD students.
• College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD): Through presentations and speakers, educate and advocate for comprehensive vision care with an emphasis on developmental and behavioral approaches.
• Contact Lens Society (CLS):Contact Lens Society (CLS) at NECO is an interest based club for those who want to learn about the various soft and specialty contact lens options available to fit our patients in as well as to learn about different contact lens wear complications and anterior segment disease. CLS is a great way to gain exposure to the industry side early in your optometric career. Grand rounds and many contact lens guest speaker events are hosted by CLS.
• Fellowship of Christian Optometrists: A fellowship of people that support, encourage, pray for each other, and discuss what it means to approach life and school from a Biblical perspective.
• La Vista: Learn how to perform an eye exam in Spanish.
• Lions Club: Support the local community by providing eye and general health screenings, book-binding services to the National Braille Press, bilingual presentations to senior centers, and glasses to VOSH and local homeless shelters.
• Massachusetts Society of Optometrists Student Chapter (MSOS): Participate in advocacy events that support our profession.
• National Optometric Student Association: Work to improve the delivery of vision care to underserved communities through consumer education, legislative advocacy, and minority recruitment and retention.
• Ocular Disease Club: Provide students with an interest in ocular diseases an opportunity to engage more deeply in the field and cultivate a better understanding and knowledge of the scope optometrists have in treating ocular disease.
• Performance Vision Club (PVC): Join a group committed to improving patients’ visual function, informing the public of preventative eye safety measures, and promoting professional standards among members and the general public.
• Prism: Join NECO’s LGBTQIA+ and ally organization to create inclusivity and diversity within NECO and the greater optometric community through educational, social, and advocacy events.
• Private Practice Club (PPC): Connect with other students interested in private practice and learning about business management.
• Sigma Upsilon Sigma: Provide a platform for the voices of women in the field of optometry.
• Student Alliance for the Advancement of Diversity & Inclusion (SAADI): Educate the NECO community about social issues affecting BIPOC students, exploring implications for optometry at the clinical, administrative, and educational level.
• Student Council: Serve as a liaison to NECO faculty, staff, and administration, and organize activities like the Welcome Back Barbecue and annual Eye Ball formal dance.
• Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH): Deliver eye care to those who lack access, locally and abroad.