HPU School of Optometry
High Point University > School of Optometry
Dr. Catherine Heyman, O.D. — Founding Dean and Associate Professor at the HPU School of Optometry at High Point University
Introducing School of Optometry Founding Dean
High Point University announces Dr. Catherine Heyman will serve as founding dean of HPU’s new School of Optometry. It will be North Carolina’s first private School of Optometry.

“Dr. Heyman has led a distinguished career as a professor of optometry and built a national reputation as one of the premier optometrists,” said Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president. “We welcome her to HPU and look forward to her extraordinary partnership as she leads HPU’s newest academic school.”

Heyman envisions bringing to optometric education the HPU approach of using experiential learning, emphasizing life skills and interprofessional education. The need for optometric doctors continues to grow in the United States, she said.
My goal is to create a student-centered, cutting-edge program that will educate future optometrists to go out and make an impact.
Dr. Catherine Heyman
Founding Dean, School of Optometry
Program Progress
optometry students
Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) is the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada.

HPU School of Optometry does not currently hold a formal accreditation status. The ACOE has granted High Point University School of Optometry (HPUSO) Stage Two designation. This classification is granted to a proposed professional optometric degree program indicating that the proposed program's planning and development are sufficient to warrant an on-site evaluation review in consideration of Preliminary Approval Status. The site visit is scheduled for May 2026.

To learn more about the ACOE accreditation process, please visit the ACOE website.
Visit ACOE
HPU Academic Expansion
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The School of Optometry is part of HPU’s $400 Million Academic Expansion
The School of Optometry is part of HPU’s $400 million investment in academic expansion, which includes schools of law, nursing, entrepreneurship and the Workman School of Dental Medicine. Most of these schools will be built in a hub on the university’s Innovation Corridor. Congdon Hall, which houses the Congdon School of Health Sciences and Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, is also located in the centralized hub for graduate education. HPU students will benefit from interdisciplinary learning by connecting and collaborating with each other. Heyman said she is excited to join the HPU family and to learn from her fellow deans.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my passion for optometry, administrative experience and educating future health care professionals to our beautiful campus,” said Heyman. “All of us working together can create the HPU experience for our future students and faculty, and build the optometry program into a premier program.”
HEYMAN C 2018
Dr. Catherine Heyman
Founding Dean and Associate Professor, School of Optometry
(336) 841-2980
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Dr. Paula Luke
Associate Dean of Academics and Professor of Optometry
(336) 841-2984
Corina van de Pol Headshot
Dr. Corina van de Pol
Associate Dean of Student Experience and Professor of Optometry
(336) 841-2982
250922 Annette Bade 001
Dr. Annette Bade
Associate Dean of Clinics and Professor of Optometry
(336) 841-2981
maryke nei headshot
Dr. Maryke Neiberg
Professor of Optometry and Director of Assessment
(336) 841-2936
Robert Rego headshot
Dr. Robert Rego
Associate Professor of Optometry
(336) 841-2935
250127 Kristine Benne Headshot Staff High Point University
Kristi Benne
Director of Administration
(336) 841-9725
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Amber Burroughs
Clinic Manager
(336) 841-2934
251006 Julie Potter 001
Julie Potter
Administrative Assistant
(336) 841-2979
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HPU Welcomes Founding Dean of Optometry School

Contact HPU School of Optometry

The High Point University School of Optometry (HPUSO) is currently under development. In preparation for and alignment with the accreditation process, we are actively searching for faculty who are passionate about educating future optometrists, engaging in scholarly activity, and advancing the profession. We also welcome partnerships with externship sites to support future fourth-year clinical rotations and provide diverse, high-quality clinical experiences. Please contact HPUSO with any questions.
750 Greek Circle, High Point, NC 27268
Faculty Position Posting
(336) 841-2933
[email protected]
Daily from 8:30am — 5:00pm.
Frequently Asked Questions

The HPU School of Optometry (HPUSO) is developing a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program. It will be North Carolina’s first private School of Optometry. The program will feature a block/module teaching style similar to PA and medical school curricula, designed to enhance material retention and student outcomes, along with fourth-year clinical rotations at externship sites.

The HPU School of Optometry is currently in development and does not yet hold formal accreditation. However, it has officially achieved “Stage Two” designation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)—the sole accrediting body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs in the U.S. and Canada. This milestone indicates that the program’s planning is thoroughly developed and ready for an on-site evaluation to consider Preliminary Approval Status. The official ACOE site visit is scheduled for May 2026. Please note that while the optometry program is actively working toward its own accreditation and not yet accepting applications, High Point University itself is a fully accredited institution.

Dr. Catherine Heyman serves as Founding Dean and Associate Professor. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree in 1993 from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. She is a Fellow and Diplomate in the Binocular Vision and Vision Perception Section of the American Academy of Optometry and a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She previously served as Associate Dean of Student Affairs at MBKU and specializes in pediatric low vision and optometric treatment of patients with disabilities.

The HPU School of Optometry can be reached by phone at (336) 841-2933 or by email at [email protected]. The school is located at 750 Greek Circle, High Point, NC 27268. Office hours are daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. HPUSO welcomes inquiries about the program, faculty positions, and externship site partnerships for future fourth-year clinical rotations.

Yes. The School of Optometry is part of HPU’s $400 million investment in academic expansion, which also includes the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law, the Teresa Caine School of Nursing, the David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship, and the Workman School of Dental Medicine. It is HPU’s 12th academic school and the 9th established since Dr. Nido Qubein became president in 2005. The school is located in HPU’s Innovation Corridor near Congdon Hall, enabling interdisciplinary learning alongside pharmacy, health sciences, and other graduate programs.