For more than a century, NECO has led the way in advancing optometric education and redefining patient care.
From pioneering myopia research to forging groundbreaking clinical partnerships with community health centers, our legacy is one of innovation, impact, and leadership. But leadership isn’t about resting on past achievements–it’s about pushing forward, embracing change, and ensuring we continue to set the standard for excellence in optometry.
Today, we stand at a pivotal moment. The challenges facing higher education and healthcare–from rising costs, student debt, evolving patient expectations, and revolutionary advances in technology–demand bold action. To remain at the forefront, we must not only respond to change, but drive it.
We invite you to review The Future InSight to learn more about our strategic initiatives as we work to craft the future of education in optometry.
Goal 1
Revolutionize optometric education by integrating the curriculum, learning outcomes, and student support to foster meaningful educational experiences and professional success.
Goal 2
Advance clinical training and patient-centered care by leveraging new technologies and expanding experiential learning opportunities to educate clinicians who combine clinical and technical excellence with the highest standards of compassionate care for all communities.
Goal 3
Develop a thoughtful research strategy that leverages NECO’s strengths while acknowledging its limitations, fostering educational opportunities for students to explore how evidence-based research enhances patient care.
Goal 4
Ensure long-term financial sustainability, operational excellence and future-preparedness by optimizing resource allocation, enhancing efficiency, and driving strategic growth.
Goal 5
Foster a culture of excellence and engage-ment by cultivating a community of passionate and engaged faculty and staff dedicated to student success, fiscal responsibility, and transformative education.
Goal 6
Innovate for the future of optometry: Optometric education faces unprecedented challenges, from shifting demographics to the increasing costs of traditional education models. We will explore new approaches to affordability, accessibility, agility, and technological integration to keep NECO at the cutting edge.
