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): Learn about contact lens care and management.
• 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.