Brandon Cohenmehr & Kendra Kim Both Earned the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE) for their Shared Commitment to Innovation & Improving Clinical Outcomes for Patients
New York, NY — The SUNY College of Optometry today announced that two of their students, Brandon Cohenmehr, ‘25, and Kendra Kim, ‘25, have been selected as recipients of the 2024-2025 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE), the SUNY system’s highest honor for students. The award recognizes students for their achievements throughout their time at a SUNY institution, including their success in academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts.
“Both Brandon and Kendra have spent their academic careers committed to excellence both inside the classroom and out,” said Dr. David Troilo, PhD, President of SUNY Optometry. “Their strong character and formidable academic talent have resonated across our community, and I am proud to see them recognized with this prestigious honor. I know they will be leaders and make a tremendous impact on the optometric profession in the coming years. I look forward to seeing all they accomplish.”
Graduating with a Doctor of Optometry degree at the age of 21, Brandon Cohenmehr is the youngest graduate in SUNY Optometry’s history. Before coming to SUNY Optometry, he served as a member of the Board for Tutors at Reach and Doctors at Reach, organizing tutoring services and health fairs for underserved communities. While maintaining top-tier grades, Brandon developed a passion for medical eye care and fitting specialty contact lenses. He enjoys scholarly engagement and research and was selected as an ABB Optical Poster Challenge Honoree to present a clinical case report to a large audience.
“I’m incredibly thankful to earn this recognition,” said Brandon Cohenmehr, ‘25. “My goal is to use what I’ve learned at SUNY Optometry to expand access to high-quality vision care, and this honor motivates me to keep pushing forward as an advocate and a future clinician.”
Kendra Kim, a Boston University graduate. She has demonstrated leadership while pursuing her Doctor of Optometry degree at SUNY as President of the Student Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry and Beta Sigma Kappa and was awarded membership in the Gold Key Honor Society. She has received numerous scholarships and was named a CooperVision Best Practices Student Honoree in 2024 for her academic excellence and community involvement. Kendra will graduate with a Microcredential in Cornea and Contact Lenses and will pursue a Residency in Ocular Disease and Cornea/Contact Lenses at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, with goals of contributing to contact lens innovation and the pharmaceutical industry in the future.
“It’s a true honor to receive the Chancellor’s Award,” said Kendra Kim, ’25. “My four years at SUNY Optometry have provided me with the tools, guidance, and inspiration to grow both personally and professionally. This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence and strengthens my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of optometry.”
The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who integrate academic excellence with other aspects of their lives. Each SUNY campus president establishes a selection committee that reviews student accomplishments and forwards nominations to the Chancellor’s Office for final selection.
Both Brandon and Kendra will also be honored as part of SUNY Optometry’s annual Commencement Awards Program on May 22nd.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2025
Media Contact: Dawn Rigney
communications@sunyopt.edu 212-938-5600
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.