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Kentucky College of Optometry 147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, Kentucky 41501 (606) 218-5251 kycoadmissions@upike.edu
At the Kentucky College of Optometry, students may apply to become student ambassadors after their first semester of optometry school. Our student ambassadors work closely with our admissions team and help with various admissions events throughout the application cycle. Some of these events include campus tours, interview days, Q&A sessions, and accepted student days! Our student ambassadors are an invaluable resource for prospective students, so feel free to reach out to any of the friendly faces below!
Name: Elijah RiffeKYCO Class of 2027Email: elijahriffe@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: West Virginia State University
Hometown: Ripley, WV
Hobbies: Playing golf, basketball, and video games
Clubs/Organizations: FCO and Private Practice Club
I chose KYCO because the people and the scenery make me feel like I am at home. I also want to serve the Appalachian community and KYCO is perfect in helping me do so.
Name: Courtnee LyttleKYCO Class of 2027Email: courtneelyttle@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Pikeville
Hometown: Manchester, KY
Hobbies: Going for walks and hanging out with friends & family!
Clubs/Organizations: Private Practice Club and SVOSH
I chose KYCO because everyone was so welcoming and made it feel like home!
Name: Grace SkarohlidKYCO Class of 2027Email: GraceSkarohlid@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Wyoming
Hometown: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Hobbies: Riding horses, hiking, fishing, hunting, and riding side-by-sides with my husband!
Clubs/Organizations: Currently the Treasurer of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA).
Not only did I choose KYCO for its state-of-the-art equipment and laser course offerings, but the faculty have a huge desire to help students and make sure each student has the resources to become a great optometrist.
Name: Joseph MuellerKYCO Class of 2027Email: josephmueller@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska
Hobbies: Video games, Golfing, and going on long walks with my dog and girlfriend
Clubs/Organizations: I am involved with SVOSH, Private Practice Club, and Ocular Disease and Low Vision.
When looking for an optometry school, I knew that I would be changing my lifestyle to better suit the area that I would be living in for a couple of years. Growing up in central Nebraska, I was no stranger to small towns and grew to miss the community feel throughout my undergraduate years in Omaha. This feeling made my decision much easier when I further investigated KYCO. Having such a close-knit group of classmates in a high-need area with a full scope of optometry, the choice was simple.
Name: Lin Ling WangKYCO Class of 2027Email: linwang@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Irvine
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Hobbies: Cooking, Video Editing
Clubs/Organizations: : PPC, FCO, SVOSH
Coming from the West Coast, I wanted to try exploring different states. When I interviewed here, I was captivated by the warmth of the people and the school’s values. It was then that I knew that the Kentucky College of Optometry was the perfect fit for me.
Name: Ciara BoykinsKYCO Class of 2027Email: ciaraboykins@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Wittenberg University
Hometown: Reynoldsburg, OH
Hobbies: Reading, Singing, Tennis
Clubs/Organizations: National Optometric Student Association, Private Practice Club
I chose KYCO because of the friendly, welcoming environment I experienced when I came to visit.
Name: Karlea ButcherKYCO Class of 2027Email: Karleabutcher@upike.edu
Undergraduate: University of Pikeville
Hometown: Inez, KY
Hobbies: Dancing, pickleball, working out
Clubs/organization: SVOSH and private practice club
I chose KYCO for the family-like atmosphere. In Kentucky, optometrists have several advantages that are not available in other states. Going to a professional school in Appalachia allows me to help the underserved community that I grew up in.
Name: Mallory DavisKYCO Class of 2027Email: Mallorydavis@upike.edu
Hobbies: Crafting and Reading
Clubs: Private Practice Club (OD-I intern), SVOSH, FCO (Fellowship of Christian Optometrists)
As a native of Eastern Kentucky, I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to pursue my education at KYCO. This intuition feels like home, and being so close to my hometown is a great privilege. I am grateful for the opportunities KYCO has given me, and I cannot wait to share my enthusiasm with future students. My time here so far has filled me with a passion for giving back to this community that has given me so much. Beyond academics, I’ve built friendships that feel like family. I am very grateful for this time to learn and grow in such a welcoming environment.
Name: Bailie FeatherstonKYCO Class of 2027Email: bailiefeatherston@upike.edu
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Hometown: Estero, FL
Hobbies: Art and spending time with my family and pets
Clubs/Organizations: FCO member, SVOSH member
Why KYCO: I chose KYCO because of the supportive family atmosphere and the advanced technology the program has to offer.
Name: Remington BeardsleyKYCO Class of 2027Email: remingtonbeardsley@upike.edu
Undergrad institution: University of Cincinnati
Hometown: Nashport, Ohio
Hobbies: Pickleball, Watching movies, Board games
Clubs/Orgs: Ocular Disease and Low Vision Club (Secretary), National Optometric Student
Association (OD-1 Intern), Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (member), AOSA (member)
Why I chose KYCO: Projections show that there are too many patients in need for ophthalmology to take care of them alone. Because of this, optometrists willing to take part in patients’ medical eye care are in great demand. KYCO is the best choice for prospective optometrists because KYCO is one of two optometry schools in the country that is situated in a state with a full scope of practice for optometrists. KYCO’s mission dedicated to helping those most underserved in eyecare while preparing students for the future of optometry is what stood out to me!
Name: Olivia OpheimKYCO Class of 2027Email: oliviaopheim@upike.edu
Undergrad institution: University of Wisconsin- La Crosse
Hometown: Grundy Center, IA
Hobbies: anything outdoors, hanging out with friends & family, cooking, gym!
Clubs/Orgs: Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) and Private Practice Club (PPC)
Why I chose KYCO: I love the area and the people here! Having the ability to learn with the full scope of optometric practice was important to me and this program has the best people and equipment to teach that. Everyone, from faculty and staff to your peers, wants you to succeed and will do what they can to help you.
Name: Ashlyn PrinceKYCO Class of 2027Email: ashlynvale@upike.edu
Undergrad institution: Western Kentucky University
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Hobbies: Sports, cooking, reading, hiking!
Clubs/Orgs: Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO), Student Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), and Private Practice Club (PPC)
Why I chose KYCO: I chose KYCO because the people here are so welcoming and make you feel like family! I also wanted to learn in a state with a full expanded scope of practice that had an emphasis on service and giving back to its community!