Humans Of NOSA Student Spotlight: Leia Ballesteros

Leia Ballesteros is a third-year optometry student at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry. She has been an active member of the AZCOPT’s NOSA chapter since her first-year and served as president for the 2019-2020 school year. Leia has integrated the organization’s mission statement of, “advancing the visual health of minority and under-served communities” by increasing chapter involvement to provide exams and glasses to approximately 100 individuals experiencing homelessness in the greater Phoenix area in just a year. In addition to community service, Leia has become an integral mentor for many first-year optometry students. She has hosted multiple events like mock proficiencies, Spanish workshops, and “Tour of the eye” to help overcome many challenges first-year optometry students face. Leia continues to inspire future NOSA member by embodying the core values NOSA preaches with her love for service and optometry.