Dr. Randy Brooks has always loved science and comes from a family of teachers. His father was a science teacher and encouraged him to choose a health profession after receiving his B.S. degree from The University at Albany. He then attended The New England College of Optometry where he received his Doctor of Optometry Degree.
Dr. Brooks founded a private optometry practice in New Jersey and has served as a consultant in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical field, as well as to the contact lens industry. He has served as a visiting scholar and visiting professor at several colleges of optometry and has presented the commencement address at both the New England College of Optometry in Boston as well as the State University of New York College of Optometry in Manhattan.
In 2000, Dr. Brooks was elected to the board of trustees of The American Optometric Association and served as its President in 2009-2010. He represented 36,000 doctors of optometry and was an advocate for patient care on a national level. In 2009, he was invited to speak at the White House on behalf of optometry at White House Conference on Primary Care. He has published more than 70 papers in optometric journals and has presented more has 80 professional lectures to both post-docs in continuing education formats as well as to optometry doctoral students.
Dr. Brooks is married and has three sons. He is also a proud grandfather to six adorable grandchildren. His retirement from professional optometry began in 2018 and was short lived when his love for science and students brought him to Castleton University in the spring of 2019. He lives in neighboring Washington County, New York with his wife Bonnie who has taught mathematics full time at a community college for 23 years and continues to teach online. His interests include fishing, biking, photography and travel.
Dr. Brooks’ educational philosophy is that learning and teaching are fully connected and believes that students learn in different ways. He encourages class participation and connection of professor and student through questions and discussion. He also encourages mutual respect in the classroom through the study of scientific knowledge as well as honest reflection of how this affects their everyday lives. Dr. Brooks loves interaction with students and at the 2024 Commencement received the Jennifer and Fred Bagley Outstanding Part-time Faculty Member Award.
