NSUCO - The Visionary Spring 2012

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING 2012 — 7 By the time he was ready to graduate from the University of Florida with his Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science, a double celebration had mate- rialized. “We actually got married on May 2, 2009, the day after my gradu- ation,” said Valenti, who graduated cum laude. “Because our entire family was coming to Gainesville to celebrate, Kimberly and I decided it made sense to get married at the same time.” Marrying Kimberly, who currently works at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine as a recruiter/counselor in the Center for Interprofessional Edu- cation and Practice, may have been the easiest— and most fulfilling—decision he has ever made. That same effortlessness, however, was sorely lacking when it came to applying to optometry school. “To be honest, coming to NSU’s College of Optometry was both a geographical and financial decision,” he explained. “I considered moving back to the Northeast and attending New England Col- lege of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts, but the tuition was simply too high. I also knew I wanted to stay close to family, so NSUCO was the only other school I considered.” Because he was now a Florida resident, the cost to attend NSU’s College of Optometry would be ap- proximately $10,000 less per year than in Boston, which would amount to a $40,000 savings. As a re- sult, NSU was the only optometric college he ap- plied to, which was a calculated risk he was willing to take. Fortunately, not only did Valenti gain admittance to NSUCO, he currently ranks at the top of his class. “I’ve always had the ability to do really well aca- demically; it’s just the motivation factor because I tend to be lazy sometimes,” he admitted. “I have a great life balance now with Kimberly, plus I’m able to relax away from school by playing golf and ten- nis year round. To put it simply, I’m really enjoying my time here.” With his NSUCO graduation looming on the hori- zon in May 2013, Valenti is contemplating several postgraduate options, including pursuing a residency or immediately join- ing an optometric practice. “To be honest, I really want to get out there and start making money so I can begin paying off my student loans,” he stated. “I would like to open my own practice eventually, but I don’t think I want to take on that sort of challenge right out of college. I’d like to pay off some of my debt first and gain additional experience in the field before thinking about opening my own practice.” Although he is unsure of where he’ll end up once he graduates, a return to the Northeast isn’t likely. “My wife has no desire to relocate to Boston, so we’ll probably remain in Florida,” he stated. “At the end of the day, my ul- timate goals are to have a happy and successful family and make a real dif- ference in my community through being a really first-rate optometrist.” While he looks toward the future with optimism, Valenti is the first to admit his journey from college dropout to academic ace has been an arduous— and frequently demoralizing—one. “I’m extremely proud of what I’ve ac- complished,” he admitted. “There was a time not too long ago when I was at my lowest point emotionally. I had dropped out of college and moved down to Florida with nothing but a backpack full of clothes. But I survived despite my initial apprehension and created a new life for myself thanks to the support I’ve received from my family, my wife, and my wife’s family. I’ve really been blessed in so many ways.” At the end of the day, my ultimate goals are to have a happy and successful family and make a real difference in my community through being a really first-rate optometrist. “ “