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SOTA Info
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: Lauren Darsow
- Undergraduate Experience: I attended undergrad at WMU and earned my Bachelor of Science in Health and Humans Services: Pre-Occupational Therapy.
- Favorite Occupations: My favorite occupations are dancing, eating yummy food, and cuddling with my girlfriend and 2 cats!
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I am excited to spread the joy of OT throughout our community, with an emphasis of supporting our underserved populations and amazing OTD/OTA students in our program!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: My current area of interest is Pediatrics! I would love to learn more about NICU/inpatient pediatrics and early intervention. I am specifically passionate about neuro-affirming care, interoception, sensory processing, and pelvic floor.
Vice President & Social Media Coordinator: Emma Libby
- Undergraduate Experience: I completed undergrad here at WMU with a major in psychology and a minor in American Sign Language.
- Favorite Occupations: My favorite occupations are thrifting with friends and playing with my cat.
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I am excited for connecting with other OT students. I am also looking forward to CDS Prom!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: My current OT practice interest areas are pediatrics and mental health.
Treasurer & WSA Representative: Olivia Marick
- Undergraduate Experience: Current OTA undergrad student at WMU.
- Favorite Occupations: I enjoy thrifting and playing cards.
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I'm excited for community involvement and with it showing more people the joy of OT!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Pediatrics and intellectual disabilities.
Secretary & Volunteer Coordinator: Maggie O'Connell
- Undergraduate Experience: Minnesota State University, Mankato.
- Favorite Occupations: I enjoy walking outside!
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I am excited to meet and interact with people from other cohorts! I am also excited to create the CDS Prom!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Inpatient Neuro Rehab.
President: Sydney Brumme
- Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University with a major in Kinesiology
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I’m excited to help plan and attend academic, volunteering, and social events to get to know other cohorts and OT students in Grand Rapids!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Pediatrics, School OT
Vice President: Allyse Phillips
- Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University with a major in Kinesiology
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I’m excited to help build a strong sense of community within our cohort and create opportunities for involvement and connection within the community, as well as professional growth.
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Neurorehabilitation and stroke recovery
Event Coordinator: Jaye Fuller
- Undergraduate School and Major: Cornerstone University, Double Major - Exercise Science, Creativity and Innovation
- What are you excited for with SOTA? I am passionate about service learning and community outreach. I am excited to utilize the current talents, roles, and experiences we hold as students to best serve Grand Rapids and beyond! I believe SOTA will be a conduit to our success in this.
- Current Areas of OT Interest: I have always had a heart for pediatrics, specifically working with children who have a history of complex trauma. I love that we can use occupational therapy to meet kids where they are at and where they are headed. However, most recently, stroke recovery and acute care have caught my interest!
Treasurer: Lilly Brandt
- Undergraduate School and Major: I went to IU-Indianapolis and majored in Health Sciences.
- What are you excited for with SOTA?: I am exited to connect more with my classmates and represent WMU OT in the community!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: My interests are always changing, but I am currently interested in neuro and pediatrics!
COTAD INFO
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
- Zumba at Treetop Collectives
- WMU x Bronson “You Belong Here” Community Event
Future Events:
- Planting Roots Event
- Volunteering with Mel Trotter Ministries, Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Grand Rapids AMBCUS
- "Out of the Darkness" Mental Health Walk
- Multicultural Potluck
- Medical Interpreter Event
Co-Director: Jaelyn Amhdar
- Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated from Goshen College with a major in Exercise Science and double minors in Psychology and Disability Studies.
- What are you excited for with COTAD?: I’m excited to continue exploring service opportunities within the Grand Rapids community while finding meaningful ways to engage, connect with, and educate students about diverse perspectives and areas of occupational therapy!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: My interests seem to change every day, which is one of the many reasons I love how dynamic and versatile occupational therapy is! Currently, I’m especially interested in pediatrics, mental health, pelvic health, and neurorehabilitation.
Co-Director: Grace Fryer
- Undergraduate School and Major: Alma College, Integrative Physiology & Health Science
- What are you excited for with COTAD?: I am excited to be a part of COTAD because it connects students with diverse community organizations and meaningful experiences while encouraging advocacy both within and beyond occupational therapy. I’m passionate about helping students broaden their perspectives, get involved in their communities, and recognize the impact they can make in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in OT and beyond!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Acute or Inpatient Rehab, Neuro
Social Media Lead: Mallory Morton
- Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University, B.S. in Kinesiology
- What are you excited for with COTAD?: I am excited to embrace and learn more about different cultures, have a sense of leadership, and be able to connect more with the Grand Rapids community!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Adult Neuro and the incarcerated population
Community Lead: Isabel Post
- Undergraduate School and Major: Calvin University - Bachelor of Science Therapeutic Recreation
- What are you excited for with COTAD?: I look forward to making new connections, learning from others, and growing together!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Ortho/Hand Therapy and Inpatient Neuro
Cross-Cultural Lead: Amber Olguin
- Undergraduate School and Major: Michigan State University - Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science (Health and Society concentration) with minors in Bioethics, Human Behavior and Social Services, and Digital Cultural Heritage and History
- What are you excited for with COTAD?: I am excited to get involved and continue my student government work from undergrad in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging!
- Current Areas of OT Interest: Research, pediatrics, adolescents-young adults with lifelong conditions, orthotics
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.