Virtual Video Tour
Whether you’re a prospective student, parent, or just curious about what we do, these short videos will give you an inside look at our clinics, classrooms, labs, and community. Explore what makes our school a leader in vision care, education, and research.
ASAO Tour with Ardi Samonte
In this video, Associate Director of Admissions Ardi Samonte takes us on a tour of the Admissions and Student Affairs Office (ASAO). Ardi provides an overview of ASAO, explaining how the team supports students from the admissions process through graduation with events, advising, and personalized guidance.
Ardi Samonte Ardi (he/him/his) is a student affairs and higher education professional passionate about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through advancing communities forward with sustainable and systems practices. Ardi serves as the Associate Director of Admissions for the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science. He is passionate about recruitment best practices and helping students find their next step in their professional career.
He has received both his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication & Master’s Degree in Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California. Prior to working at the School of Optometry & Vision Science, he has experience in Enrollment Services, Student Success, Career & Professional Services, Fine Arts, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, & Leadership. He most recently served as the Assistant Director of Career Development – Fine Arts & Humanities at California College of the Arts.
Read More: Ardi's Profile
Pre-Clinic Tour with Erwin Sunga
Join third-year optometry student Erwin Sunga for a guided look inside the pre-clinic at Berkeley Optometry, where students begin developing core clinical and communication skills from their first day.
Erwin Bautista Sunga was raised both in the Bay Area and San Diego prior to receiving his BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Philippine Studies at the University of San Francisco. During this time he would discover a sense of community and identity in serving and becoming part of it, setting roots in San Francisco following graduation. This would be the starting point of his journey into optometry working for an independent, private practice as a technician.
Over the course of 8 years, Erwin grew alongside the practice, eventually becoming the Frame and Optical Lead, cultivating a passion for personalized eyecare and individuality through eyewear. Here he would also bolster the need to serve, volunteering for an optical/optometric outreach program providing essential care and services to the marginalized. This experience would instill the core desire of integrating accessibility and advocacy with quality, individualized care as an optometrist in the future.
Berkeley’s holistic and non-traditional approach, along with its heritage was a major deciding factor and draw for Erwin as a non-traditional applicant who took a longer route and did not take the OAT. His experiences and evolution so far have been shaped by the program’s unique blend of clinical exposure, academic challenge, strong sense of community and culture.
Day in the Life
Wondering what it’s like to be a student at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science? Check out our Day in the Life videos, highlighting our students and their unique journeys in optometry.Day in the Life with Estie