Learn more about UPIKE and why it is the right choice for you.
See if UPIKE is a good fit for you and take the next steps in becoming a student.
The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
Explore our online undergraduate and graduate programs and learn more about earning your degree at UPIKE.
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: Lauren BaileyKYCO Class of 2026Email: laurenbailey@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian State University
Hometown: Concord, NC
Hobbies: Running and reading
Clubs/Organizations: SGA Secretary, FCO and SVOSH member
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because I loved the people. Everyone was so welcoming and treated me like family!
Name: Deanna DaleKYCO Class of 2026Email: deannadale@gmail.com
Hometown: Grundy, VA
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, and painting
Clubs/Organizations: SVOSH, Private Practice Club, and FCO.
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because of the warm and welcoming environment that was reflected in all of the staff and students I met.
Name: Anna RoweKYCO Class of 2026Email: annasmith00@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: UPIKE
Hometown: Irvine, KY
Hobbies: houseplants, baking, and playing board games with my husband
Clubs/Organizations: Low vision/Ocular Disease Club and The National Society for Optometric Surgeons
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because it’s so close to home. Everyone here at UPIKE and the mountains just feel like home to me.
Name: Julia OtmanKYCO Class of 2026Email: juliaotman@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Central Michigan University
Hometown: Linden, MI
Hobbies: Going to the gym, pickleball, cooking, hiking, video games
Clubs/Organizations: Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH), Student Government Association (SGA), Private Practice Club (PPC)
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because of their emphasis on service.
Name: Megan CarryKYCO Class of 2025Email: meganbritt@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hometown: Benson, NC
Hobbies: Playing golf, working out, and craft projects
Clubs/Organizations: Private Practice Club and College of Optometrists in Vision Development
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because I felt welcomed by everyone that I met during my interview process.
Name: Savannah UpshawKYCO Class of 2026Email: savannahupshaw@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Georgia State University
Hometown: Mansfield, GA
Hobbies: Hiking, Reading, Crocheting, Video games, and Playing fetch with my dog!
Clubs/Organizations: AOSA, Ocular Disease and Low Vision Club, Student Ambassador, FCO, Private Practice Club, NOSA, SVOSH
I chose KYCO because of the dedication to extending the reach of medical care in a rural community and the incredible sense of family from everyone at KYCO!
Name: Maddie ChisomKYCO Class of 2025Email: madisonchisom@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Liberty University
Hometown: Hardy, VA
Hobbies: Pickleball, Hiking, Watching Football
Clubs/Organizations: Cornea & Contact Lens Society, SVOSH, Private Practice Club, The KYCO Ambassador Program
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because KYCO provides me with a thorough education to the fullest scope of optometry, all while making me feel like part of a big family.
Name: Diana ScavuzzoKYCO Class of 2025Email: dianascavuzzo@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Georgia
Graduate Institution: University of Georgia (Master of Science)
Hometown: Blairsville, GA
Hobbies: Reading fantasy novels and spending time with my dog
Clubs/Organizations: Cornea and Contact Lens Society secretary, KYCO student tutor
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because of the friendly atmosphere; it made Pikeville feel like home!
Name: Jessica OlsonKYCO Class of 2025Email: Jessicaolson@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Luther College
Hometown: Missouri Valley, Iowa
Hobbies: sports, hiking, games
Clubs/Organizations: Student Volunteer Optometric Service for Humanity (SVOSH), Fellowship of Christian Optometrist (FCO), Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society, Lions Club, Sports Vision, and College of Vision Development (COVD)
I chose KYCO because it was very apparent during my interview that everyone treated each other like family, which made me feel like Pikeville was a home away from home. Faculty and staff are genuinely dedicated to serving everyone and helping you succeed in this program and as a future optometrist.
Name: Madison McBrideKYCO Class of 2026Email: Madisonmcbride@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Mississippi State University
Hometown: Cullman, AL
Hobbies: Hiking, hanging out with my husband and daughter, shopping, snowboarding, trying new food and finding new places to explore!!
Clubs/Organizations: SVOSH, Private Practice Club, Student Ambassador, Class Liaison, and American Society of Optometric Surgeons
One reason I chose KYCO was because of how everyone here made me feel like I was a part of their family!
Name: Dawson KingKYCO Class of 2026Email: Dawsonking@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Michigan State University
Hometown: Stoney Point, Ontario
Hobbies: Fishing, bowling, video games
Clubs/Organizations: SVOSH, PPC
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because I grew up in a small town rural environment, similar to Pikeville, and I wanted somewhere with good hiking!
Name: Haleigh Bluedorn KYCO Class of 2026Email: haleighbluedorn@upike.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at the Permian Basin
Hometown: Midland, TX
Hobbies: Hairless cats, reading and watching the Food Network
Clubs/Organizations: NOSA, FCO, PPC, AOSA, ASOS, COVD, BSK and SVOSH
One of the reasons I chose KYCO was because they treated me like a human being, not a number or a stats sheet. From the first interaction, they were the most welcoming and interested in who I was as a person, a whole, rather than just an applicant. I also loved the rural and small welcoming feel of the city of Pikeville–it felt like coming home for the holidays.