IUSO Expands Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Scholarship Program

Through Partnerships with the National Optometric Association, Black Eyecare Perspective, and supportive IUSO alumni, IUSO expanded its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Scholarship Program.

At IUSO, we’re constantly seeking opportunities to expand our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Through the establishment of our DEI Advisory Council in 2020, our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are working together to further cultivate a supportive and welcoming learning environment. We are actively recruiting under-represented minority faculty with the support of Indiana University. And our student recruitment, marketing, and networking have broadened to reach a more diverse audience.

But there is more work to be done.

To support these efforts, IUSO is expanding our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship Program to include:

• A Full-Tuition Scholarship for an incoming African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino or Native American/Alaska Native student. First-generation college students will receive preferential consideration for this scholarship.
• Scholarship-Match Partnership with the National Optometric Association and Black Eyecare Perspective. For any matriculating students receiving scholarships/grants from these organizations, IUSO will match those funds up to the cost of tuition and fees.
• Admission Scholarships: Expansion of our current scholarship program, established in 2013–2014, to award up to $5,000/year in additional scholarships for incoming under-represented minority students.
• Alumni Support: Generous IUSO alumni have committed over $200,000 in endowed scholarships to further support minority students at IUSO for years to come. Increasing the number of minority optometrists in the field means increasing the quality of individual patient care and overall community support.

Increasing the number of minority optometrists in the field means increasing the quality of individual patient care and overall community support. IUSO is committed to making optometry a profession for everyone, and we will strive for this through collaboration with individual and organizational leaders in the field.

Please check out the IUSO Scholarships & Awards page for more details.

If you are interested in learning more about IUSO, please connect with IUSO Associate Director of Student Recruitment Nikolas Jones at nikjones@iu.edu.