• Kalamazoo SOTA Walk to End Alzheimer's

  • Grand Rapids Shakes for SOTA Fundraiser

  • Kalamazoo SOTA Gull Meadow Farms Social Event

  • Grand Rapids SOTA Walk to End Alzheimer's

Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)

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! 

Info

  • Events

    Previous volunteer events:

    • Walk to End Alzheimer's: fundraising and socially-distanced 5k walk 
    • Partners in Housing: volunteer outreach program opportunity 
    • Shakes with SOTA: partner with local organization to donate a portion of shake sales to SOTA. Proceeds were used to make information packets about disabilities and sent to Somos Hijos del Lago in Guatemala for children and families 
    • Virtual fundraisers: Mel Trotter Ministries and American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) 
    • Kids Food Basket: decorate bags and collect items to prepare packed lunches 
    • Guest speaker: Meeting OT needs for for teens and young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community

    Upcoming events:

  • Kalamazoo SOTA Board

    President: Hannah Wilson

    Hi everyone, my name is Hannah Wilson and I am the current President of SOTA. I am in the Kalamazoo OTD ’24 cohort and love the program so far. I am currently pursuing my first level 1 fieldwork experience at Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and will be at the Pediatric SOAR Clinic for my second level 1 experience. I am interested in several areas in the scope of OT including pelvic floor therapy, hand therapy, working with older adults, and mental health. I am looking forward to working with the E-Board this year and furthering my knowledge of occupational therapy skills.

    Vice President: Morgan Otero

    Hi everyone! My name is Morgan Otero, and I am part of the OTD cohort graduating in 2024. I graduated from Michigan State University in 2020 with my undergraduate degree in Anthropology (Go Green!). I was an avid volunteer for the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Club at MSU and because of them, developed an interest in OT. I also enjoy reading, painting, being outside, and hanging out with friends and family. I am so happy to be a part of this program and to be pursuing a profession that I am so passionate about. I love how OT values living a meaningful, purposeful life, and I look forward to sharing that with all of you. 

    Social Media Coordinator: Camille Chimner

    Hi my name is Camille and I am in the 2024 OTD cohort. I graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Spanish.  I have been interested in the healthcare field as long as I can remember and always knew I wanted to be a profession that helps others. I hope to work in pediatrics, specifically school-based OT, or mental health in my future and I am excited to see what fieldwork placements I will get to be involved in! I enjoy playing with my dog, traveling, camping, hiking, skateboarding, reading, and teaching my dance students.  I am excited to be a part of the Kalamazoo SOTA e-board this year and can't wait to see all the fun ideas and events we will do!

    WSA Representative: Riley Groves

    Hello everyone! My name is Riley Groves and I am humbled to be the Special Events/Volunteer Coordinator and the WSA Representative for Western Michigan University's Student Occupational Therapy Association this school year. I just graduated from Davenport University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Case Management. During my time at Davenport, I was a student-athlete on the volleyball team and have worked as a rehabilitation aide at Athletico Physical Therapy! This is my first year in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at WMU and I cannot wait to enhance my knowledge in this field and promote occupational therapy within the university and community! Occupational therapy is such a beautiful field to be a part of and I am excited to further my passion to help guide individuals to their independence and quality of life. When I am not studying, I love to go shopping, workout, go to sports events, go to concerts, and hangout with my family and friends. With that being said, I am super grateful to be able to represent on WMU's Kalamazoo SOTA E-Board for this upcoming school year and advocate for this profession with my fellow classmates!

    Secretary: Shreena Shah

    My name is Shreena Shah, I’m the current secretary on the E-Board and I started my second year of the OTD program! My preferred practice area in OT is adults and children with neurological conditions and I would love to work in an inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient neuro clinic one day! Community involvement and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are very important concepts to me and I plan on bringing more DEI events and opportunities for SOTA this year! I am looking forward to working with my fellow E-Board members to support OT students at WMU.

  • Grand Rapids SOTA Board

    President: Emily Vachon

    1. My current area of OT interest is working in pediatrics, especially using sensory integration techniques to help the children function most optimally in their natural environments.
    2. Regarding SOTA, I am excited to connect our members to the community to continue building connections and a network of support, as well as advocate for and assist populations and individuals in need.
    3. In my free time, I enjoy being with my friends and family, spending time outdoors, and partaking in various arts and craft projects!

    Vice President: Mikayla Eshbach

    1. Hobbies/Interests: spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, reading, and traveling. 
    2. What I am excited for with SOTA: To collaborate with peers and the community to promote health and wellbeing through our program and OT. 
    3. Area of OT interest: Trauma informed care, older adults and neuro.

    Event Coordinator: Kallen Wolfer

    1. Favorite Occupations: Anything in/around the water: fishing, water-skiing, swimming, scuba diving, tubing, water polo. If water has something to do with it, I love it.
    2. What I am excited for with SOTA: I'm so excited to co-ordinate and engage in fun, meaningful events with my classmates and community
    3. Area of OT interest: Still very much in my "exploratory era," currently I love it all!

    Secretary: Hannah Barton

    1. Area of OT interest: Geriatrics and Mental Health

    2. What I'm excited for with SOTA: I'm excited to get more involved in our community and make more connections with my peers as well as the organizations we will volunteer for and work with. 

    3. Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with friends and family and being social, dancing, listening to live music, and lifting weights.

    Treasurer: Braeleigh McCoy

    1. My favorite occupations include playing soccer, going to the gym, reading, watching movies, and trying to make my friends laugh!
    2. My favorite thing about OT is being able to help a multitude of different people who are experiencing different challenges/barriers and watching the growth that occurs.
    3. My favorite areas of OT are pediatrics, acute care, oncology, and mental health! 

    Public Relations: Anna Kelley

    1. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, and kickboxing.
    2. What I am excited for with SOTA: To work as a team with my classmates and make connections in the community through our program.
    3. Area of OT interest: Pediatrics and neuro.