AOA Leadership Institute 2.0
The AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 fosters the continued growth and development of emerging leaders in optometry by providing a virtual and in-person professional development opportunity for early-to-middle career doctors of optometry.
What is the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0?
The AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 is a three-day, intensive workshop at the AOA's St. Louis, Missouri, headquarters, in conjunction with a pair of virtual education sessions, designed to foster the continued leadership growth and development of early-to-middle career doctors of optometry as they consider leadership roles within the AOA and its affiliates. Limited to 50 participants, this select group will build upon their leadership skills through a deeper dive into media training, effectively working with industry, relationship-building with legislators, strategic planning and committee leadership.
Developed by the AOA Leadership Development Committee, the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 seeks to provide growth and development opportunities that will empower optometry's champions to pursue additional leadership opportunities, both personally and professionally, as well as build a diverse leadership class reflective of changing demographics in our profession. Open to active AOA members who are in an early-to-middle career phase or having completed the AOA Leadership Institute program, the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 is your next step for honing leadership skills that can shape the future.
Are you an active AOA member who's early in their career? Learn more about the AOA Leadership Institute.
What can you expect from the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0?
2024 Key Dates & Deadlines
| Application deadline | Sept. 6, 2024 |
| Two virtual education sessions | Date TBD |
| In-person education workshop in St. Louis, Missouri | Nov. 1-3, 2024 |
| Graduation & induction ceremony (virtual) | Winter 2024 |
Selected participants for the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 will be provided two nights hotel lodging and a $300 stipend to offset costs associated with travel to attend the in-person workshop at the AOA's St. Louis, Missouri, headquarters, Nov. 1-3, 2024.
How to participate in the 2024 AOA Leadership Institute 2.0
The AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 is now accepting applications for the 2024 program. Applications must be submitted online using the link below by Friday, Sept. 6.
Who we are seeking to participate
AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 participants have demonstrated dedication and leadership in our profession and meet the following criteria:
- Active AOA membership
- 10+ years in practice or having completed the AOA Leadership Institute program
- Show interest or potential in leadership roles
Application review process
All applications to participate in the AOA Leadership Development 2.0 program will be reviewed by a committee of experienced doctors, champions and leaders of optometry.
Please contact leadershipinstitute@aoa.org for additional information on the application process or for further information about the 2.0 program itself.
Where to access AOA Leadership Institute resources
All AOA Leadership Institute participants will have access to program resources and recorded virtual sessions within the AOA EyeLearn Professional Development Hub, the AOA's online education platform. Please follow these directions to locate participant content:
- Log in to EyeLearn with the username and password used to access AOA.org; this will direct you to your account profile.
- Navigate to "My Courses and Learning Plan" to access your AOA Classroom where you can find all available, on-demand courses.
- Select "Leadership Institute" to access applicable program resources.
See the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 in action
The AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 is proud to recognize graduates that are already taking steps to get involved and lead in their practice, community and profession.
What participants say about the AOA Leadership Institute
Congratulations to AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 graduates
2023 Leadership Institute 2.0 Graduates
Thank you to the AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 supporters
The AOA Leadership Institute 2.0 Program is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and HOYA.
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