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: Molly Boyle

Where are you from: I am from a little town called Byron Center, MI that is about 15 minutes south of Grand Rapids! However, I moved around a lot in my early childhood, so I can also claim roots in Illinois, Ohio, California, and Florida. I went to WMU for my undergraduate degree and majored in OT preparation.

Favorite Occupations: Some of my favorite leisure occupations include, camping, backpacking, hiking, and running. Last summer, my boyfriend and I climbed a 14er in Colorado and we’ve got plenty of camping trips planned for the upcoming summer!

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am so excited to continue to strengthen the academic and working relationship between our OTD and OTA cohorts. We’re all in this together – including our fieldworks too! I am so excited to explore this working relationship and get to know everyone even more to make this experience super positive!

Current Areas of OT Interest: In the future, I plan on working with neurodivergent children, including history of trauma. I find sensory integration, trauma-responsive care, and feeding to be utterly fascinating! Additionally, I have been investigating more about the role of OT in end-of-life care for pediatric populations, in particular. Though there is shockingly little literature out there, I would love to explore this even more.

Vice President: Emma Norman

Where are you from: I am from the West Michigan area and completed my undergraduate degree at Olivet Nazarene University with a major in Kinesiology and minor in Psychology.

Favorite Occupations: Throughout my undergraduate degree I was on the swim and dive team which has fostered my passion for staying active. My favorite occupations include hiking, swimming, and baking.

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am most excited to work with SOTA to serve the Kalamazoo community and help foster interest in and excitement for the profession of Occupational Therapy both within the student body and surrounding areas.

Current Areas of OT Interest: My current areas of interest within the field of Occupational Therapy include school-based OT and outpatient neuro settings.

Treasurer: Abby Cassatta

Where are you from: I am from Plymouth, MI

Favorite Occupations: I enjoy working out, hanging out with my friends, working, and trying new foods

Current Areas of OT Interest: My current areas of interest within the scope of OT are working in geriatrics as well as inpatient rehabilitation.

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am most excited to advocate for my fellow OT classmates and build meaningful relationships within the community.

WSA Representative: Liv Stanek

Where are you from: I am from Paw Paw Michigan

Favorite Occupations: Outside of school, my favorite occupations are hanging out with friends and family, being outdoors, spending time with my two cats, and reading good books

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am so excited to be the upcoming WSA Representative and advocate for new experiences and relationships within our community.

Current Areas of OT Interest: My current interests of OT are working with outpatient adults with neurological conditions and inpatient pediatrics.

Secretary: Emily Watson

Where are you from: I am from St. Joseph Michigan. I am currently an undergraduate student in the OTA program at WMU.

Favorite Occupations: I love lifting weights and working out, playing sports (especially beach volleyball), sewing, thrifting, embroidering, puzzling, and listening to music. Going on a walk to listen to a new album is one of my favorite things to do.

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am excited to make new connections with the other members of SOTA along with everyone we will work with and meet along the way!

Current Areas of OT Interest: While my experience is somewhat limited, I am currently interested in working in the school system. I believe that the education system needs to be more accessible to populations who don’t learn in the same way as others or need additional support.

Social Media Coordinator: Mia Kerouac

Where are you from: Homewood, IL

Favorite Occupations: Self-care, walking my dog, socializing, working out, cooking 

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am excited to work with my team to help others and experience the many volunteer opportunities we take part in! 

Current Areas of OT Interest: My ot interest are neurological rehabilitation and pediatrics!

Volunteer Coordinator: Madison Maki

Where are you from: I am from Crystal Falls, MI in the Upper Peninsula. I spent the last 5 years living in Marquette Michigan completing my bachelor's in biology with a concentration of anatomy and physiology at Northern Michigan University. 

Favorite Occupations: My favorite occupations are ones involving my two dogs. I have a silver lab and a flat coat retriever that I walk, run, roller blade, hike, swim, you name-it we do it accompanied by my wonderful husband, Kyle!

What are you excited for with SOTA: I am most excited about making new connections in SOTA and playing a part in advocating for our profession and bringing in the importance of volunteering in our community. Being from a rather isolated small community up north, I believe that community connectedness helps create lasting experiences and relationships that will be helpful to bring with us into our OT/OTA careers. 

Current Areas of OT Interest: My current areas of interest in OT are the geriatric population as well as an interest in neuro! I have worked in a memory care facility as well in an inpatient rehab setting and my favorite memories are with older adults, I love hearing about their life experiences, so much wisdom!

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.

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:

• ADLs Around the World
• Gender Affirming Guest Speaker
• More to come!

Director: Thahiyatul Sarah

Hi! I’m Thahiyatul Sarah (I go by Sarah). I’m a second-year student at WMU’s OTD program at the Grand Rapids campus. I grew up amongst a diverse community of minorities that encouraged me to reflect on how racial, religious, political, historical, and economic factors give rise to both privilege and oppression. I have a strong passion to serve marginalized individuals which I've been fortunate to do through various work and volunteer roles in the past. Recognizing the need for cultural awareness and humility within healthcare, I aspire to help create a space where students feel safe to explore and discuss difficult topics surrounding the impact of culture, race, religion, and other factors. It is a privilege to be a part of COTAD where I look forward to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the field of OT. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, diving into a good book or movie and brewing chai for those who enjoy it.

Co-Director: Taylor Maysonet

Hello! I am Taylor Maysonet, a second-year student in the OTD program at the Grand Rapids campus. I'm thrilled to be involved with COTAD, which is dedicated to enhancing inclusion and diversity within our communities. My goal is to actively listen, learn, and empathize with others to understand their challenges and meet them where they are instead of where others think they should be. Participating in COTAD will not only further enhance my ability to provide comprehensive and inclusive care to all demographics but also help expose me to other diverse backgrounds. I'm eager to contribute fresh ideas, devise plans, and implement framework for future students. My current OT interests include pediatrics, acute care, and women's health. Outside of academics, I enjoy being up north, spending time with family, being on the water, and exploring new coffee shops. I'm so excited to be a part of this organization and am eagerly anticipating upcoming COTAD events!

Event Coordinator: Ellia Flejtuch

Hello! I am Ellia Flejtuch, a second-year student at Western Michigan University’s OTD program at the Grand Rapids campus. I joined COTAD because of its opportunities to learn more about diversity in occupational therapy and ways we can be inclusive healthcare providers. These opportunities are important for our personal and professional growth, as we will be providing care to clients from various backgrounds. Currently, I am interested in memory care, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care settings. Outside of classes, I enjoy cooking, exercising, being in nature, and spending time with family and friends. I am excited to be a part of COTAD’s leadership, and I look forward to seeing what we will learn and accomplish together! 

Co-Director/Social Media Coordinator: Sydney Payne

Hello! I am Sydney Payne and I am heading into my second year of the OTD program at the Grand Rapids campus. I am excited to be a part of  a club that promotes diversity and inclusion in practice. The field of occupational therapy is broad and teeming with diverse patients. Through the further development of cultural competence this will allow me as a future practitioner the opportunity to add to my knowledge of diverse cultures to support lasting connections with my future patients. My current OT interests include pediatrics or geriatrics, autism, and vision studies. 

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.