Student Occupational Therapy Association
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is offered at both campuses, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, with every occupational therapy student encouraged to join their corresponding association by attending one meeting per month. Joining SOTA has many benefits for students and surrounding communities. Benefits to joining include, but are not limited to:
- Build leadership skills in the field of OT
- Make connections with other students, faculty, and local organizations
- Give back to the community through volunteer opportunities
- Learn to advocate for our profession
- Apply skills learned in classes to use in a safe learning environment
- Gain knowledge by attending guest presentations
- Participate in fun social events with your fellow SOTA members!
Fundraise/Volunteer Events:
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Fundraising and 5K walk in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids
- AMBUCs: Fundraising by selling bleacher seats at WMU home football games
- Renew Mobility: Fowling to Keep em’ Rolling
- Lending Hands: Restore adaptive equipment
- Clock Mobility: Trunk-or-Treat
- IKUS Life Enrichment Services: Volunteer at respite events with individuals with varying levels of abilities
- Career Fair at Northeastern Elementary School: Advocating for OT!
- MiOTA Conference: Student Ambassadors volunteer their time at the annual state conference
- Special Olympics Area 16 Chapter
Social Events:
- Sports Game Outings: Rise, Whitecaps, and more!
- Yoga in the Park and Beach Nights
- Chair volleyball StoryPoint with senior residents
- Ecumenical Senior Center: Winter fashion show collaboration with WMU Fashion students and helping out at their community for various events
President: Haley Munson
Where are you from: I am from New Baltimore MI, a small town on the eastside side of the state by lake St.Claire.
Favorite Occupations: My favorite occupations outside of being a student include reading, spending time with my friends, cooking, watching documentaries and naps! If anyone needs a crime documentary recommendation or recommendations for where to buy the best nap worthy blankets, i’m your girl!
What are you excited for with SOTA: I am extremely excited and honored to be on the Kzoo eboard! I am looking forward to building strong community connections and relationships between the OTD and OTA cohorts. The eboard has been discussing many ideas to get more involved in the community and have some fun with the students!! I’m eager to represent the OT students with passion and professionalism! I can’t wait to meet the new cohorts!
Current Areas of OT Interest: There are so many fascinating settings OTs can work in. My current areas of interest include acute care, pediatrics and outpatient neuro! I hope to launch my career in a pediatric setting working with children with cerebral palsy or inpatient pediatrics!
Vice President: Aubin Shields
Where are you from: I am originally from a SUPER small rural town in Illinois, located about 60 miles south of Chicago. However, I plan to change my residency to Michigan after I graduate from school!
Favorite Occupations: Some of my favorite occupations include going to the gym, fishing, and hiking! I am super passionate about lifting and staying strong, even with a busy schedule.
What are you excited for with SOTA: When it comes to being Vice President of SOTA, I hope to give SOTA more recognition for the hard work the students that are within the organization do. I want to continue to grow the field of occupational therapy by showing my community how much of an impact OT’s have on people’s lives.
Current Areas of OT Interest: For my future career, I have a strong interest in working in an adolescence mental health center/program. Also, I would like to work in an adult clinic, specifically for adults with neurological disorders and conditions.
Treasurer: Khyra Hickey
Where are you from: I am originally from Hillsdale, MI. I currently call Battle Creek, MI home.
Favorite Occupations: I enjoy playing and walking with my dog, Appa. Reading, playing Mario Kart games, shopping and watching Grey’s Anatomy are some other occupations that I take pleasure in.
Current Areas of OT Interest: I am currently interested in geriatrics and mental health areas of OT.
What are you excited for with SOTA: I am excited to advocate for my fellow peers and spread the news to the community about how amazing and important OT is.
Secretary & Volunteer Coordinator: Alexia Hollerich
Where are you from: I am from a small town in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with my undergraduate degree.
Favorite Occupations: I enjoy working out or going for walks outside when it’s nice out. I love reading books, especially romance/fantasy books, and hanging out with friends/family!
What are you excited for with SOTA: I am excited to get to work closely with the SOTA board to come up with new and exciting ways we can connect with the community and spread the word about occupational therapy.
Current Areas of OT Interest: I am currently interested in working in pediatrics, specifically in the hospital setting
Social Media Coordinator: Maggie Benton
Where are you from: Canton, MI! I completed my undergrad at Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a minor in health promotion.
Favorite Occupations: My favorite occupations include reading, drinking coffee, and dancing. While completing my bachelor's degree I joined a dance club which allowed me to continue my love of dancing through college.
What are you excited for with SOTA: I am especially excited about advocating for OT as a part of SOTA as well as fostering meaningful connections within the community.
Current Areas of OT Interest: My current areas of interest within the field of Occupational Therapy include inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient neuro.
Public Relations & ASD: Tara Maureen
President: Maddie Frens
- Undergraduate School and Major: Calvin University, Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology
- Favorite Occupations: I love to do anything crafty. At the moment I really enjoy painting and crocheting! I also love going for walks outside and playing the piano.
- What are you excited for with SOTA? I am excited to continue to build meaningful relationships with my classmates while partnering with the Grand Rapids make a positive impact in our community.
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Currently, I am interested in working with adults in outpatient Nero rehab!
Vice President: Carleigh Nickens
- Undergraduate School and Major: Aquinas College, health science major with a sociology minor
- Favorite Occupations: Playing pickleball, going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and just being outdoors!
- What are you excited for with SOTA? I am excited to help others in the community while making more connections. I am also looking forward to advocating and spreading awareness for occupational therapy!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Pediatrics and school-based
Event Coordinator: Emma Tracy
- Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated from Grand Valley with a Psychology major (with minors in Biology and Applied Statistics)
- Favorite Occupations: I love reading, listening to music, traveling, going to concerts, dance/aerial fitness, and attempting a bunch of different creative hobbies.
- What are you excited for with SOTA? I'm looking forward to becoming more involved in the community and continuing to build on the partnerships and connections that SOTA has!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: I'm currently interested in mental health, pediatrics, and neuro and I also enjoy research.
Secretary: Kate Eveleigh
- Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated from Western Michigan University (2023) with a major in Health Services and Sciences and a minor in Psychology
- Favorite Occupations: Spending time with family and friends, weightlifting, hiking, and cooking.
- What are you excited for with SOTA? I am excited to grow connections within the program and the community!
Current Areas of OT Interest: Adult Neuro or Older Adults!
Treasurer: Macey Rockwell
- Undergraduate School and Major: The Ohio State University - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Favorite Occupations: When I am not in class, I enjoy participating in occupations including but not limited to reading, playing with my dog, going on walks, and tending to my many plants!
- What are you excited for with SOTA? Being from out of state, I am excited to learn more about the community and participate in SOTA events held by community partners.
- Current Areas of OT Interest: I am most interested in pediatrics, specifically children with sensory processing disorders (SPD) and autism spectrum disorder(ASD). I also have a special interest in hippotherapy and nature-based interventions!
Public Relations & ASD: Breanna Alexander
- Undergraduate School and Major: Grand Valley State University - Exercise Science
- Favorite Occupations: I love to work out and spend as much time with friends and family as possible! My friends and I love having game nights!
- What are you excited for with SOTA? Growing connections and building meaningful relationships with my classmates and community members. As well as promoting and advocating for the field of OT!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: My answer changes almost every day! The field is so ever-dynamic, which is awesome! Currently, I would say either working in geriatrics or in mental health.
Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) is an organization that focuses on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the occupational therapy (OT) profession. COTAD aims to address issues related to underrepresentation, cultural competence, and inclusivity in occupational therapy education and practice. Members of COTAD include practitioners, students, and educators who work collaboratively to create positive changes and advocate for diversity within the OT workforce. Benefits to joining include, but are not limited to:
- Diverse experiences
- Community engagement opportunities
- Advocacy and empowerment
- Leadership opportunities
- Personal growth
Previous Events:
- Traveling While Black documentary- immersive VR experience
- Adaptive Floor Hockey with MSU students
- ADL's Around the World: guest speakers from diverse backgrounds who shared information related to cultural differences in ADL practices (grooming, hygiene, dressing, and feeding).
- Working With Interpreters
- Guest speakers from Pride Center talking about their experiences with healthcare providers.
- Virtual Event: Solidarity & Solutions: Moving OT Education & Practice Forward
- WMU Take a Break
- Virtual Event: Anti-Oppression & OT
Future Events:
- Planting Roots Event
- Zumba at Treetop Collectives
- NAMI Mental Health Walk
- WMU x Bronson “You Belong Here” Community Event
- Multicultural Potluck
- Medical Interpreter Event
Sadie Derusha, (sadie.derusha@wmich.edu)
As a disabled, indigenous woman, COTAD's initiatives of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are extremely important to me. I hope to instill and enforce these values as a student and future occupational therapy practitioner, something that is essential in today's climate. I am excited to work alongside my fellow board members, students, faculty, and community members toward this shared passion.
Fun fact: Outside of advocacy, I love to bake desserts!
Co-Director: Emma Nesbitt, (emma.n.nesbitt@wmich.edu)
I became a board member of COTAD because I am eager to embrace cultural humility and remain curious about the diverse backgrounds of those around me. I intend to carry this open perspective as both a student and, eventually, a practitioner of occupational therapy, allowing me to serve all my clients to the best of my ability!
Fun fact: I work at the John Ball Zoo!
Event Coordinator & Financial Officer: Thomas Simon,(thomas.m40.simon@wmich.edu)
My name is Thomas Simon. I am a second year student at Western Michigan University's Occupational Therapy program. I am a member of the Coalition of Occupational Therapists Advocates for Diversity, as their financial advisor. I obtained my undergraduate education at WMU with bachelor's degrees in psychology and Spanish. I decided to get involved with COTAD because I have always been an advocate for diversity and with so many people in my life that come from diverse backgrounds, I want to be able to help those that need it while obtaining an education about what makes each diverse individual so unique.
Social Media and Community Manager : Emily Mui, (emily.mui@wmich.edu)
I’m Emily, and I am a 2nd year OTD student in the Grand Rapids cohort. I am passionate about COTAD initiatives because it is important to promote and bring awareness to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the field of occupational therapy to provide the highest quality care for all individuals. It provides opportunities to advocate for inclusivity, amplify underrepresented voices, and address systemic issues. It is important for cultural awareness and humility. I’m excited to contribute to COTAD and learn from diverse perspectives of others.
A fun fact about me is I have 2 gray cats!
Faculty Advisor: Azalia Gonzalez
Hi! I’m Dr. Gonzalez and I’m a faculty member/advisor for the COTAD group. Throughout my career, I’ve had a passion for working with marginalized communities and under represented groups. Some previous personal involvements include volunteering at the Literacy Center of West Michigan, serving as president of a student organization group called Active Minds, and recently partnering with Help Pregnancy Aid in Grand Rapids to educate low income minority families about pelvic health. I now have the privilege to serve as an advisor to a group of brilliant and passionate students who share the same vision surrounding promoting inclusivity and diverse representation within the OT workforce. A random fact about me is that while math/numbers has never been my forté, I enjoy learning about finance, investing and increasing my financial literacy.