A just-established Optometric Education Task Force composed of nationally recognized leaders in optometry, educators and advocates will assist Georgia Southern University in the development of the university’s new College of Optometry.

According to a release from Georgia Southern, the task force represents a “significant milestone in the creation of the college and the university’s ongoing efforts to expand access to vision care, strengthen Georgia’s health care workforce and establish a premier destination for optometric education in the Southeast.”

“The creation of this task force brings together some of the most respected voices in optometry,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Avinandan Mukherjee. “Their collective expertise will help ensure Georgia Southern develops a forward-looking college that prepares exceptional clinicians, advances research and serves communities across our state.”

Leading the task force is Horace Deal, O.D., owner of Southeastern Eye Care Clinics in Statesboro, longtime team optometrist for Georgia Southern Athletics and past president of both the Southern Council of Optometrists International and the Georgia Optometric Association. Deal has spent most of his career advancing clinical education, professional advocacy and sports vision while mentoring future optometrists.

“Georgia has needed an optometry school for decades,” Deal said. “This task force represents an incredible opportunity to help shape an institution that will educate future optometrists, improve access to care and strengthen the profession for generations to come.”

The task force is made up of professionals with experience in clinical practice, education, advocacy, government relations and health policy:

• Jarrod Griffis, O.D. (’13), a Georgia Southern alumnus and private practice optometrist specializing in specialty contact lenses and ocular disease management.
• Jeremy Collins, principal of Jeremy Collins Public Affairs, bringing decades of experience in government relations, public policy and strategic planning.
• Mahsa Masoudi, O.D., a nationally recognized advocate for optometric education and recipient of the 2026 American Optometric Association Young Optometrist of the Year Award.
• Robin Chandler-Morgan, O.D., a private practice owner dedicated to expanding high-quality eye care in rural Georgia and serving on the Georgia Optometric Association Board of Trustees.
• Ted McElroy, O.D. (’89), a Georgia Southern alumnus and founder of Vision Source Tifton, former president of both the Georgia Optometric Association and SECO International, and an accomplished educator and leadership mentor.
• Walter L. Jackson II, O.D., MAPS (’15, ’17), a Georgia Southern alumnus, residency-trained optometrist and clinical educator with expertise in ocular disease management and professional leadership.
• Paul Ajamian, O.D., a graduate of the New England College of Optometry, who has authored two textbooks and edits Review of Optometry’s “Clinical Quandaries” column. He is also a past president of the Georgia Optometric Association and long-time Education Chairman for SECO International. A 2015 National Optometry Hall of Fame inductee, he currently serves as President of the Georgia State Board of Optometry.

According to the release, the task force will provide guidance as Georgia Southern advances planning for the College of Optometry, including program proposal, curriculum development, accreditation planning, partnerships, clinical education opportunities and workforce alignment.

“The new college reflects Georgia Southern’s commitment to meeting the state’s growing demand for eye care professionals while expanding access to comprehensive vision care, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” the release stated.