Stephanie Messner

Stephanie Messner, OD, FAAO, serves as Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). She joined ICO's faculty in 1985 and has held various administrative roles, including leadership in patient care education and residency programs. Her academic career includes active teaching in classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and chairs the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Education: B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh (1980), B.S.V.S. (1982), O.D. (1984), and a Primary Care Optometry Residency (1985), all from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She also completed the Pennsylvania State University Academic Leadership Academy (2011 and 2012).

Research focuses on optometric education and clinical practices, including pharmacology and therapeutics. Awards include the ICO Distinguished Faculty Member Award (1998) and Wildermuth Foundation Scholar (1984). She has contributed to peer-reviewed publications on topics like bacterial corneal ulcers and corneal trauma. Grants and advising details are not explicitly listed, but her leadership roles reflect extensive institutional contributions. She is part of professional organizations like the American Optometric Association and Illinois Optometric Association.