Meet Your Student Ambassadors – Part 3

Hey everyone! My name is Divya Patel and I’m currently a first-year Doctor of Optometry student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University. I grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and food science.

I took a two-year break after graduation, during which I worked as an optometric technician in a private practice while working on my second round of applications for optometry school. During this time, I struggled to stay motivated, but stepped out of my comfort zone with every opportunity presented. I never imagined starting my graduate studies during a global pandemic, and moving away from home for the first time, but I am thriving thanks to constant support from the Salus community.

I knew when applying that I wanted to feel comfortable expressing myself as an individual and a student in the program I chose. PCO/Salus provides just that, a home, a family, and moreover, a network of professionals who encourage my growth. My excitement to give back to Salus and help foster an environment where everyone can thrive knows no bounds. I strongly believe that a professional identity is beyond your degree. It is about experiencing this life with everyone and everything in it. As a Salus Ambassador, I hope to continue learning and contributing all of my efforts to expressing what inspires me to achieve my dream of becoming an optometrist!

Beyond my passion for the optometry profession, I love eating ice cream and taking long walks to relax and clear my mind. You’ll never find me without my planner or a hot cup of exotic coffee!

My name is Ariella Erin and I am a first-year Doctor of Optometry student from Jacksonville, Florida. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I also took a minor in studio art and plan on combining my artistic passions with my studies in optometry.

Once I become a doctor of optometry, I hope to open my own practice that not only provides healthcare services to patients, but also an immersive, artistic experience with the local art community. I hope to achieve this by hosting art walks and exhibits with themes in vision health and perspectives, while also providing local artists the opportunity to reach a unique audience. Another passion I discovered of mine during undergrad is a love for student affairs and higher education. I aim to balance my future private practice with a career in higher education, whether as a professor or a member of student affairs in an optometry program.

Campus engagement does not end in undergrad. I believe students, whether they pursue a master's degree or a doctorate, should continue to be involved in the campus community. Long days/nights of studying will be much more memorable if it's coupled with club activities or that special "family" you make from student organizations or offices. As a lover of campus engagement and student affairs, I knew that I had to become a Salus Ambassador. To make these lasting connections, to influence the lives of people you meet, and to foster a loving and proud community were aspects that drew me to the Ambassador program. I am also the vice president for the PCO/Salus Class of 2024. I look forward to engaging with the community, to inspire, to lead, and to have a fun time throughout the next four years.

My name is Jaskirat, and I am a first-year Doctor of Optometry student here at PCO/Salus. I am all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, so this has been a huge, but exciting, move for me.

I had an incredible experience throughout my undergrad at The University of British Columbia (UBC) where I had the opportunity to explore my future career path and also become involved in many great community engagement initiatives. As a previous orientation ambassador and senior leader for all international orientations at UBC, I made some of the best memories and friendships while representing UBC to the student community. This led me to joining the Salus Ambassadors program, because I feel this is the perfect way for me to give back to the community I now call my home for the next four years.

I am super excited to challenge myself and use my passion and enthusiasm to represent PCO/Salus in the best way possible. As a Salus Ambassador, I believe I have a great responsibility to be both the face and the voice of the community here at PCO/Salus. I am excited to start on this incredible journey and look forward to meeting so many amazing individuals along the way!

Hello! My name is Jaqueline Wiafe, and I am a first-year Doctor of Audiology student. I was born in Ghana, West Africa, and moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey. I started out at a community college where I received my associate degree in psychology. Right after that I continued my education at Kean University where I graduated with a double major in communication sciences and disorders/psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. I am grateful to be a Student Ambassador as well as the treasurer for the Salus Christian Fellowship (SCF). Salus University is a wonderful place to be.

I am honored to be able to be the voice and face of Salus. As a student ambassador, I will have the opportunity to engage with other students from other programs and be able to collaborate and share ideas that will serve the students at Salus as well as prospective students.

My name is Allie Wylam and I’m second-year Doctor of Optometry student from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics from King’s College in May 2019. As a child, my optometrist was the only doctor I wasn’t afraid of, and when choosing a path, it felt like a natural fit. Before I wore glasses, my performance in school was poor and the addition of glasses significantly improved the way I learned and looked at the world. Being an optometrist will provide me with the opportunity to change the lives and learning of children in the same way my life was changed. 

I chose PCO/Salus because of the sense of community I felt when I walked on campus for my interview as well as the early exposure to the clinical setting. The opportunity to live in the Philadelphia area is a great plus too (Go Birds!). Since starting classes, it is apparent that both the faculty and fellow students want to see each other succeed. 

In the limited free time I have, I enjoy catching up on shows, traveling, singing and sleeping! I’m excited to be a Salus Ambassador because of the community outreach as well as getting the opportunity to work with students in other programs. I’m so thankful and blessed to be attending school and pursuing my dream at Salus!

Hello, Salus community! My name is Missy Young and I am a second-year Doctor of Optometry student here at PCO/Salus. I was born and raised in the great state of Maine where I graduated from the University of New England in 2019 with a degree in medical biology and a minor in health, medicine and society. I worked as a technician in an optometry practice, owned by inspiring PCO/Salus alumni, and then headed down to Philly to start my new life as an optometry student!

Choosing to move a bit further from home for optometry school was a tough decision but one that is continually reaffirmed by the welcoming Salus community, the extensive clinical experience, and the exceptional faculty from who we learn from every day.

As an ambassador, I enjoy getting to know a wide range of past, present and prospective members of our Salus community. I am proud to have the opportunity to represent the community that aided in my decision to choose PCO/Salus. Under the rare circumstance when I’m not studying, you’ll likely find me hanging out with my friends, family and cats, scoping out the closest park or beach to explore or grabbing a drink at Starbucks!