VSP Vision has announced the recipients of the 2026 Propel Student Business Challenge Scholarship, presented in collaboration with the Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN) and powered by the Professional Eye Care Associates of America.

Mason Martin, a first-year student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, was named this year's scholarship recipient. According to VSP Vision, Martin's winning submission featured a patient-centered private practice business plan. He received a $10,000 scholarship and a travel grant to attend the SOLN conference in Denver.

"This experience challenged me to think more intentionally about the future of private practice and reinforced the importance of keeping patient-centered care at the heart of everything we do,” said Martin.

Danaka Howard Batek of Pacific University College of Optometry and Sarah Mitchell of the University of Houston College of Optometry were named runners-up. Each received a $5,000 scholarship and a travel grant to attend the conference.

"We're committed to supporting the next generation of optometrists on their path to private practice, and the Propel Student Business Challenge Scholarship is one of the ways we help bring that to life," said Michelle Skinner, chief provider solutions officer at VSP Vision.

According to VSP Vision, the organization has awarded more than $4.3 million in scholarships to optometry students to date through its scholarship programs.