 The University of Pikeville has recently named a new dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry. Renee Reader has taken up the position with over 25 years of experience in education and more than 3,000 students taught. Mountaintop News spoke with Reader to hear her thoughts on the accomplishment. Prior to coming to the University of Pikeville, I was at the Illinois College of Optometry for 21 years. While I was there, I started a residency program, ran our cornean contact lens service, taught many of the same classes I teach here, as well as was a curriculum coordinator for the ocular disease series. So prior to this, I've worn administrative hats in both clinical and academic aspects of optometric education, as well as the fact that I'm very engaged nationally. I am currently the chair-elect of the American Optometric Association contact lens and corneal section council. I also am on the board of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators. So I've had a lot of diverse experiences that I think have given me some incredible opportunities that have helped prepare me for this new role. Reader has received much support from both faculty and students who wish to see her succeed as dean. She is confident in her abilities moving forward. They have been incredible and it has been a humbling experience because my colleagues who were also finalists for this position are super qualified and they too have been incredibly supportive. The students have been messaging me and stopping me in the hallway and so have the faculty. It has been an incredible outpouring of support, which means a lot. Reporting for Mountain Top News, I'm Nick Colum.