Student Life
Student Spouse Association: Campus Life at MBKU
As the spouse of an OD student, you’ll find yourself in a practice examination chair on more than one occasion during the 4 years it takes you to get your SOD degree (Spouse of an OD). Although you may not be the one studying for tests or taking exams, your role as the support staff for your significant other in a professional program is an important one. But where do you find YOUR support staff?
One of the many great clubs on campus is the MBKU Student Spouse Association (SSA). This club is an excellent way for married students from all programs, their spouses and children, to walk alongside one another through the rigorous years of professional school. This club is typically hosted by 2 spouses who coordinate everything from a Welcome Brunch during orientation weekend to BBQs and date nights throughout the year. They’ve also been known to throw baby showers and bring food to blurry eyed new parents when a little one joins the MBKU family.
Steve Kleen, Class of 2015, an OD student shown here with his family…
Visit MBKU’s website and learn more about the Student Spouse Association.
Learn more about campus life at MBKU from this article on the our website.
Sample dialogue from the Student Spouse Association Facebook Group
The SSA provides support all throughout your time at MBKU and is especially helpful during the months leading up to orientation as students secure local housing for the fall.
Here’s a comment from an upperclassman, married student, reaching out to offer help to incoming students:
“Awesome! It’s a super exciting time. We’re stoked to meet you guys too! Let us know if you need any help on moving day unloading a UHaul or anything like that. I can probably get a few other guys to come along and get things done faster if you’d like. Just say when!” ~ 2nd Year OD student, Adam Rosa, who is married with 1 child and another on the way
Class of 2017’s Adam Rosa at MBKU’s White Coat Ceremony with his wife Brittany and daughter Joselyn
The SSA is organized on Facebook where, as soon as they are accepted, incoming students and their spouses are encouraged to join the Group and start getting to know their future classmates and colleagues, and well, just plain friends…
…and possibly even an extra set of hands for move-in day!
Sample dialogue from the Student Spouse Association Facebook Group
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Published by Eryn Kraning, Senior Director of the Office of Admissions, SCCO
I have a confession to make… I never wanted to be an Optometrist. (Gasp.) I also never wanted to be a doctor, or a nurse, or anything else that might have to deal with blood or icky things. Why? Because if you show me a scab, or a picture of a “cool” injury, or even just tell me about something gruesome, I’ll pass out. Literally. It’s called a vasal vagal response, and it’s my cross to bear.
I knew I wasn’t cut out for healthcare pretty early on in life. In second grade I saw Paul McCarthy flip his eyelids inside out and I fainted on the playground, so I thought about other options. Teacher? Nope, not patient enough to handle a class all day long. Missionary? Nope, I hate bug bites. Airline Stewardess? Nope, don’t like lifting luggage. (As you can see, my thought process was extremely thorough.) I knew I wanted to help people, but with no clear career direction as I entered college, I went “undeclared” for as long as I possibly could, and threw myself into volunteer activities and community service. During my 4 years of undergrad, I volunteered at homeless shelters, tutored at juvenile detention camps, mentored teens, studied abroad in Italy, babysat, went on a mission trip to Amsterdam, ran a marathon, and worked about 5 different jobs, just to name a few. I walked away from Pepperdine University in 2006 with a Liberal Arts degree, a zillion fun stories, a bunch of student loans, and still no clue as to what I wanted to do with my life.
So I got on a boat. (Did she just say she got on a boat?) Affirmative. One day while visiting a boat show with my dad I was approached about the possibility of being a stewardess on yachts. I had no idea what that meant, but as soon as I heard the boat was going to Costa Rica, I signed on the dotted line and was gone. For the next 18 months, I lived and worked aboard the Motor Yacht Sojourn, catering to wealthy clients as we explored Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Florida and the Bahamas. My Jack-of-all-Trades degree came in handy as I found myself coordinating itineraries, planning events, driving a 130’ boat, cooking for guests and crew and dealing with some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. The experience was amazing, but it just delayed the inevitable. I got back on land and still had no idea what I wanted to do. Default to Eryn-mode… I volunteered again, this time for a church. I bounced from high school ministry working with teens to the missions department working with people all over the world. I also went to grad school for half a year, started my own wedding coordination business, and got certified to be a personal trainer. With interests in helping others, coordinating events, leading my peers and working with young people, I’d narrowed down my passions to something in education, specifically Admissions.
My resume was quite “colorful” by the time I joined the SCCO Admissions Department. Turns out, colorful was just what they were looking for. Some people (aka my parents) call my journey “random.” I would rather think it as the perfect training for my job here as the Director of Admissions at SCCO. I love what I do, because I love helping people. In all the occupations and experiences that have led me this far, I’ve been blessed to work alongside and encourage people from all walks of life. Now I get to walk alongside you. I love working with sharp students who want to make a difference in the world and do something I cannot- work on the frontline of healthcare. I’m honored to advise you on how to be a competitive applicant, or to give you a campus tour, or strategize on how to raise your GPA, but as a “Vasal Vagaler,” I leave the health care providing to you.
View all posts by Eryn Kraning, Senior Director of the Office of Admissions, SCCO
Optometry Admissions Blog 