Our Ambassadors provide tours to prospective students and other visitors. In addition to the tours, the Ambassadors assist with the interview days and orientation. They also work very closely with the Admissions office in providing an invaluable resource for prospective students.
If you would like to speak with a current student about their experience applying to or choosing ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï College of Optometry, you are invited to contact them directly. They will be happy to help you! You can also follow the College of Optometry on Instagram !
Class of 2028
Mariya Bikanerwala
Second Year
bika2181@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Seattle
Major: Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology
Hometown: Sammamish, WA
One reason I chose Pacific: I was drawn to Pacific because of its strong sense of community, collaboration, and support. After experiencing a highly competitive and negative undergraduate environment, I wanted a program where students genuinely helped each other succeed. The staff and faculty were consistently warm and welcoming in every interaction I had, even before I committed. It was reassuring to see how invested they were in their students' success and how much they encouraged collaboration with both doctors and peers. PUCO’s focus on academic excellence and personal growth made it the perfect place for my optometric education.
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, watching movies, Pilates and traveling
Clubs/Organizations: Contact Lens and Cornea Section, Pacific Practice Management Group, Ocular Disease Club, Class Council Treasurer
Katrina Billinton
Secretary-Elect
Second Year
k091859a@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Major: Biology
Hometown: West Kelowna, BC
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose Pacific because of the warm, collaborative, and open atmosphere! Everyone here wants you to succeed, and there's so many different avenues to support you and your studies. There's a true feeling of care here nurtured by all the faculty and students, which makes the campus feel like a second home. Additionally as a Canadian, I had heard that Pacific has a large Canadian student body and is very supportive to Canadians, which also helped draw me in.
Hobbies: Drawing, reading, listening to music, Pilates, video games
Clubs/Organizations: OWNS, CLSC, Vision Therapy, CAOS, Ocular Disease
Kate Fransoo
Second Year
fran1292@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Saskatchewan
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Hometown: North Battleford, SK
One reason I chose Pacific: I loved the small town feel and campus. The optometry staff were so welcoming and support their students
Hobbies: Playing any sport, baking, spending time outdoors
Clubs/Organizations: Rural practice, Sports vision club, Canadian Club
Nancy Hernandez
Second Year
nancynoelda@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Dallas, TX
One reason I chose Pacific: Two key factors drew me to Pacific – the strong sense of community and the diversity in the classroom and clinical settings. Graduate programs can be challenging, so I wanted an environment where students support each other rather than compete. Conversations with alumni, faculty, and students reassured me that Pacific offers the support system I was seeking. Pacific's outreach programs also showed their dedication to serving a diverse community, which really resonated with me. Plus, as someone who loves spending time outdoors, living in the PNW was a huge bonus!
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, snowboarding, and spending time with family, friends and my pup!
Clubs/Organizations: Ocular Disease, Vision Therapy, PPMG
Kathryn Hopsicker
Second Year
hops0905@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Gettysburg College
Major: Health Sciences
Hometown: Alexandria, PA
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose PUCO because the kindness and support shown by the many wonderful humans at Pacific made me feel like I would be able to succeed academically and personally here! Plus, the PNW offers such wonderful opportunities to explore!
Hobbies: Hiking, baking, cooking, throwing pottery, reading, and listening to new music
Clubs/Organizations: Rural Optometry Club, Ocular Disease Club, Pacific Practice Management Group
Ibby Lorentz
Second Year
ibbylorentz@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Seeley Lake, MT
One reason I chose Pacific: I wanted a small tight knit class where we work together as a team. Everyone was so welcoming, happy to tell me about pacific and help me with every part of the process. I liked how accessible the professors are and loved the campus. Pacific is also closer to home than all the other schools.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, paddleboarding, baking, traveling, and exploring new coffee shops
Clubs/Organizations: Amigos, OWNS, Pacific Practice Management, rural optometry club, contact lens club, sports vision club
Mansi Patel
Second Year
pate2184@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of California-Riverside
Major: Biology
Hometown: San Jose, CA
One reason I chose Pacific: There were two key factors that made me decide to choose Pacific: the community and the location. The community here at PUCO is very welcoming! The entire process from applying, to interviewing, to my first day at school was amazing! There are always people open and willing to help and everyone is here to support you. Coming from a big city as well, I was a bit worried that the quiet "small town" vibes wouldn't fit what I'm used to, but it's actually been way better than expected. Moving out of state was difficult at first, but so many other students are travelling far from home so you all get to experience this new city together and do fun activities on the weekends such as hike or go on a quick day trip to Portland!
Hobbies: Cooking, art, dancing, working out, spending time with friends/family
Clubs/Organizations: CAOS, Ocular Disease Club, Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society, Vision Therapy Club, CLCS
Abby Paterson
President-Elect
Second Year
pate0887@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Regina
Major: Biology
Hometown: Balgonie, SK
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose Pacific because every interaction during the application process was extremely positive, and there was such a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone from the faculty to other students are so helpful with questions or anything you need. I also love the small town feel and the beautiful campus!
Hobbies: Sports, baking, music, and traveling
Clubs/Organizations: CAOS, Amigos, SVC, Rural Optometry, Oc Disease, Vision therapy, NOSA
Brittney Phung
Second Year
brittney@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Alberta
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
One reason I chose Pacific: Pacific was my top choice because of the warm and welcoming environment. From alumni to faculty to students, everyone had such great things to say, they were so kind, and already made me feel comfortable. The supportive and uplifting atmosphere was also one of the top reasons for why I chose Pacific. Additionally, as a Canadian student, knowing that there is a significant population of other Canadian students, it eased my mind knowing I would have many people who could support me if I needed it.
Hobbies: Listening to music, going to the gym, playing ukulele, singing, traveling
Clubs/Organizations: CAOS, Amigos, Ocular Disease, CLSC
Liberty Schram
Second Year
schr2100@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Major: Microbiology
Hometown: Dawson Creek, BC
One reason I chose Pacific: When considering ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, I immediately felt the supportive and inclusive environment they are known for. The small-town vibe of Forest Grove feels like home. What truly sealed my decision was the genuine kindness and support from the faculty and peers—their goals are to see students succeed, which makes all the difference in education. As well, because I had worked with Pacific alumni during my undergrad, I had seen in action how the curriculum prepared the doctors to become great clinicians. Finally, coming from Canada, I appreciated how welcoming the school was; it was comforting to know there were many other Canadians in similar positions, ready to help navigate any obstacles.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, spending time with animals, traveling
Clubs/Organizations: CAOS, CLSC, Rural Optometry Club, Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society, Vision Therapy Club, Sports Vision Club
Michelle Shuai
Second Year
mshuai@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of British Columbia
Major: Biology
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose Pacific because of how helpful and supportive the faculty and the community is. From the first day I interacted with PUCO's students and staff, I felt instantly welcomed and knew that they were there to help me succeed. As a Canadian student, I also really appreciate the resources that they provide for students, and how they try to cater to student specific needs. So don't hesitate to reach out as everyone is here to help!
Hobbies: Exploring the city and finding cute stores, baking, travelling, concerts, working out, video games
Clubs/Organizations: CAOS, AMIGOS, Ocular Disease, CLSC, AOSA
Julia Sveen
Second Year
e094153j@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Minnesota Duluth
Major: Biology
Hometown: Edinburg, ND
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï because of its strong emphasis on student success and the supportive community. Everyone here, from staff to students, is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. The numerous campus resources offer both personal and professional growth. An added bonus is living in the PNW, especially in Forest Grove with its small-town feel, has always been a dream of mine. I knew that Pacific would be the perfect place to pursue my passion and have support along the way.
Clubs/Organizations: SAFOS, AMIGOS, Ocular disease, Rural Optometry, Sports Vision Club
Sara Vermeulen
Second Year
verm0835@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Major: Biology
Hometown: Williams Lake, B.C.
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose Pacific because of the supportive learning environment and sense of community. From day one I have felt welcomed and supported by not only the faculty, but my peers and upperclassmen as well. Everyone here truly does want you to succeed and reach your goal of becoming an optometrist, and there is an obvious sense that we are all in this together. Additionally, it didn't help that my optometrist is a Pacific alumni.
Hobbies: Working out, sports (especially hockey), spending time outdoors, country concerts
Clubs/Organizations: SVC, Rural Optometry, OWNS, CAOS, AMIGOS, CLCS, Vision Therapy
Ikeam Voravongsa
Second Year
k091864a@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Chapman University
Major: Health Sciences
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
One reason I chose Pacific: Coming from a supportive and welcoming environment at my undergraduate institution, I wanted to find another community I could be a part of and I found that here at PUCO! From speaking to students at Welcome Day and interacting with faculty, I knew from the start that I would feel at ease knowing that I would be in a community where everyone is rooting for your success. I also was drawn to the different types of specialties that we can explore here at Pacific.
Hobbies: Journaling, dancing, listening to NCT Dream, and collecting Sonny Angels!
Clubs/Organizations: Cornea & Contact Lens Section
Class of 2029
Addyson Hughes
First Year
g101086x@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Minot State University
Major: Biology
Hometown: Burlington, ND
One reason I chose Pacific: Reputation of producing highly skilled ODs, location, WICHE, opportunity to practice skills in multiple clinics
Hobbies: Watching & playing sports, exploring Oregon, reading
Clubs/Organizations: AMIGOS, FCO, PPMG Club, Rural Optometry Club, VT Club, CLCS Club, AAO
Tiffany Li
First Year
litiff@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Oregon State University
Major: Biohealth Sciences
Hometown: Tigard, OR
One reason I chose Pacific: Pacific has an incredible blend of providing clinical and career opportunities while also cultivating a tightly-knit community between their students and faculty. Growing up in Oregon, I’ve always appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the Pacific Northwest and Pacific feels like a true reflection of the place I’m proud to call home.
Hobbies: Hiking, baking, video games, collecting stationary & trinkets, trying new matcha and coffee shops
Clubs/Organizations: AMIGOS, Contact Lens & Corneal Section Club, AOSA, Student Ambassadors
Caitlyn LeBourdais
First Year
g101085x@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Major: Biology
Hometown: Williams Lake, BC
One reason I chose Pacific: Pacific is a beautiful campus with a great OD program that allows for a lot of hands-on experience starting right in your first year. The students and faculty here are amazing and make it feel like home.
Hobbies: Water sports, camping, hiking, snowboarding, soccer, traveling
Clubs/Organizations: Rural optometry, CAOS, PPMG, AMIGOS, CLCS, Sports Vision, VT club, Ocular Disease Club, AAO, AOSA
Annabel Lee
First Year
annabellee@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Riverside
Major: Environmental Science
Hometown: West Hills, CA
One reason I chose Pacific: I really love the atmosphere, environment, and community here! Even though the course is rigorous, the faculty care so much about the wellbeing of each and every student. Since day one, this place has felt like a place where I can truly be myself!
Hobbies: Board games, binge-watching shows, taking walks, going to cafes, worshipping the Lord :)
Clubs/Organizations: OWSA, NOSA, CLCS
Jaden Milne
First Year
jadenmilne@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Calgary
Major: Molecular Biology
Hometown: Calgary, AB
One reason I chose Pacific: I loved the community and atmosphere! Pacific has great clinical programs and provides lots of hands-on experience.
Hobbies: Spend time exploring outside, hiking, trying new coffee and food places
Clubs/Organizations: AMIGOS, PPMG, VT Club, CLCS, CAOS, Ocular Disease Club, Sports Vision Club, OWNS, AAO
Skylar Rago
First Year
g099665z@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Victoria
Major: Biology
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
One reason I chose Pacific: I have known about Pacific for a long time because both my mother and my grandfather are ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï alumnus and are now practicing ODs. When making the decision on where go to optometry school, I remember feeling so scared and confused about what school was the right fit for me. However, during my visit day at Pacific, I instantly felt like I was at home. I ultimately chose Pacific because I felt like the optometry program was a family and I wanted to be in a supportive environment. I am so beyond happy with my choice in Pacific. I feel so close with all my classmates and faculty members and everyone is so uplifting towards each other. Additionally, I feel confident in the education and clinical experience I will receive during my time at Pacific.
Hobbies: I love hanging out with my friends and family, line dancing, cooking, watching hockey, trying new coffee shops, and getting froyo!!
Clubs/Organizations: CO '29 Student Council, CAOS, AMIGOS, Private Practice Management
Josh Teichroeb
First Year
josh.teichroeb@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Regina
Major: Biology
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
One reason I chose Pacific: The reason that I chose Pacific was mainly because of the close-knit community that is present between the faculty and the entire Student Body. Being from a smaller city, I wanted to go to a school that had a smaller community because it allows you to build close relationships with your faculty and classmates. The campus here is breath taking and being so close to the coast makes sightseeing very accessible. Another reason that I chose to come to Pacific was because of how much hands-on clinical experience you learn so early on into your education, which really helps build the foundations that we as Optometrists will be using for the rest of our careers.
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Hiking, Fishing, Camping, Cooking/Baking
Clubs/Organizations: CO '29 Student Council, CAOS, AMIGOS, Sports Vision Club, Rural Optometry, Contact Lens Club, Private Practice Management, NOSA, Vision Therapy, Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society, AOSA
Olivia Tuhy
First Year
r096137n@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: Concordia College Moorhead
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Lisbon, North Dakota
One reason I chose Pacific: When I was first considering Optometry, I realized I would have to move far away from home due to the limited number of programs in the country. Most of the optometrists I had the opportunity to work for are Pacific alumni, and the community I knew I could be a part of back home was something that stood out to me. Growing up in a small town I learned to appreciate a tight-knit community and a welcoming atmosphere. This was exactly what I found at Pacific. It felt like home.
Hobbies: Spending time outdoors, staying active, keeping up with my favorite sports teams, spending time with friends and family
Clubs/Organizations: AMIGOS, Ocular Disease Club, Sports Vision Club, Rural Optometry, Contact Lens Club, Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society, Private Practice Management
Katelyn Vogel
First Year
c100190u@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution: University of Jamestown
Major: Biology
Hometown: Bismarck, ND
One reason I chose Pacific: I chose Pacific because of the wonderful atmosphere. Oregon is beautiful and everyone was so welcoming throughout my entire admissions process. The small-town community of Forest Grove was a perfect fit for me since it is comparable to North Dakota. Additionally, with the Accelerated Dual Admissions program offered at Pacific, I will be able to get out in the workforce one year sooner, which is an amazing opportunity.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, fishing, being outdoors, watching sports, experiencing new places, baking, and golfing
Clubs/Organizations: Sports Vision, AMIGOS, Private Practice Management, VT club, Ocular Disease Club, Contact Lens Club, Rural Optometry, AAO, AOSA