Creating New Pathways in Vision Care 

SUNY Poly recently announced a new partnership with SUNY College of Optometry aimed at expanding academic pathways, experiential learning opportunities, and collaborative research in vision care and healthcare innovation. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on SUNY Poly’s campus.  

The agreement creates new opportunities for SUNY Poly students interested in pursuing careers in optometry by strengthening advising and establishing clearer pathways toward earning a Doctor of Optometry degree. The collaboration is further supported by SUNY College of Optometry’s new Syracuse location at SUNY Upstate Medical University, providing greater accessibility for students continuing their education within Central New York.  

The partnership will also encourage faculty and student engagement through workshops, guest lectures, internships, and future research collaborations focused on vision care and accessibility. A key component of the initiative includes collaboration with the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), a regional organization serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  

The initiative builds on SUNY Poly’s ongoing work in humanitarian engineering and accessibility-focused innovation, including projects such as Braille Blocks, an educational tool designed to support tactile learning. These efforts have expanded further through the university’s Center for Health Innovations and Humanitarian Engineering, launched in 2024 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Joanne Joseph.  

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to professional education, strengthening workforce development, and preparing students to address growing healthcare and accessibility needs across New York State.