The Robert E. Horne Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), fully funded through the generosity of National Vision Inc., is an attempt to increase underrepresented persons of color (Black, Latino/a/x, and Native/Indigenous Americans) in optometry. Persons from those racial/ethnic backgrounds who have been admitted to Salus University's Pennsylvania College of Optometry are invited to apply for SEP.
Once accepted, SEP Scholars will receive the following:
- Full scholarship that funds, tuition, housing, meals, transportation and travel stipend to Philadelphia
- 4-week academic program that exposes scholars to five of their fall courses
- Mentoring component that includes peers and alumni
- Academic and social-cultural support for their first academic year
Hear From Past SEP Students
“I thought it (SEP) would be a great opportunity to jumpstart my education. I also did something similar in undergrad the summer before my freshman year that was very helpful and super-beneficial, so I definitely wanted to do this program.” - Madi Kore
“The lectures we’ve been having, it’s been interesting the way the professors have this close-knit relationship with the students. I come from a very big school, so I think those close relationships with the professors are going to be beneficial for me.” - Marcia Youssif
“I wanted to also meet people, that way I could go into school having a group of friends that I could rely on. I think this program is very beneficial. I learned a lot and it definitely prepared me and makes me feel better about my transition into optometry school.” - Alex Buitron
“I really like the Salus community. It feels like everyone is trying to be there for you. I know some schools didn’t have that feel for me, and I really like that about Salus. Graduate school is hard enough, so it’s good to have the support.” - Klaesyn Sibless
“I feel like I’m being taken care of here. This program will prepare me so much more than if I didn’t do it. I hope to make as many connections as I can and be able to help other students as well. I love Salus so far. I love the campus and I like the feel.” - Andrea Diaz
“The program gave me the chance to fine tune my study skills and improve how I take in information. I learned a lot about my best practices as a student and how to best support my classmates so no one gets left behind.” - Julia Cortinas
“The most interesting part of the program for me was learning all of the information in one class and seeing how it overlaps with other classes.This program was a great test run to try to learn more about myself as a student and how to adjust to this program and graduate school (as a whole).” - Malachi Beck
“I learned adaptability and resilience, but I still appreciate that this program really gets you adjusted to the rigor and the higher level of thought and the deeper level of critical analysis that you're going to need to become a doctor.” - Charlene Caldwell
“I think it was really SEP that kind of helped me decide I want to go to PCO/Salus. If I'm going to be prepared in the summertime ahead of the actual fall semester, I want that kind of enrichment because I haven't been in school in so long, taking a ton of science classes. I felt like an institution that would provide that kind of resource for students, actually investing in students in this way, from that, I just ranked Salus really high.” - Ijeoma Onyejiukwa
“Going through this program has actually opened my eyes as to what to expect in the fall. This experience has been so, so helpful. The professors have been great, just dedicating their time to us and teaching us, taking time to help us understand what is going on. I feel a lot more prepared knowing what to do and what not to do. It has been feeling really great, especially because of the other classmates we have met so far. They have been so nice, helping us, answering our questions, and making us comfortable already in a city that most of us are not familiar with. So, right now, I already consider it my home because I already feel welcomed and loved here.” - Dominica Dzakah