Doctor of Occupational Therapy Student Leadership Opportunities
Methodist University Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) promotes occupational therapy among students and the community to foster awareness and understanding of the field and ensure personal and professional growth through educational and service-directed opportunities, social activities, fundraising events, and community involvement. SOTA seeks to collaborate with other health professional programs to promote research, participate in interprofessional learning experiences and journal club. SOTA promotes and provides involvement and attendance at state and national occupational therapy conferences, student activities and initiatives.
MU Chapter – Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD)
The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) formed in 2014 through a collaboration that occurred between members of the AOTA Emerging Leaders Development Program. COTAD operates as group of individuals from across the United States all working towards a common goal of promoting diversity and inclusion within the occupational therapy workforce and increase the ability to occupational therapy practitioners to serve an increasingly diverse population.
Chapter leaders and representatives have the opportunity to work alongside leaders in COTAD and connect with other students around the country, collaborate with COTAD to create presentations, events, and share resources with other programs to communicate the desire to increase diversity within the occupational therapy workforce and prepare clinicians to serve diverse client populations.
MU OTD Student Ambassador Program
The Student Ambassadors in the Department of Occupational Therapy are a select group of students that provide guidance and valuable insights to prospective students and faculty candidates. The Student Ambassadors are responsible for providing department tours, advising prospective students, contributing to communication activities, and representing the department in recruitment and marketing efforts.
MU OTD Community Advisory Board – Student Representative
The Methodist University Department of Occupational Therapy Community Advisory Board provides support for the development of excellence in doctoral education of occupational therapists by advising on ways to: a) build and enhance quality of professional education, b) assure the relevance of the educational process to the occupation-related health needs of the community, c) foster relationships that support fulfillment of the Department of Occupational Therapy’s mission. One students in good standing from each cohort is appointed to this board to serve during their time in the program.
Pi Theta Epsilon OT Honor Society
The Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon was founded at Methodist University in August 2021. This national honor society was established in 1958 and currently has 120 active chapters. Students with demonstrated academic excellence and leadership experience, who rank in the top third of their cohort with a minimum GPA of 3.5, are selected by a faculty committee for invitation. OT students are annually inducted in the fall.
Phi Kappa Phi
MU OTD students who meet eligibility requirements may be invited to join Phi Kappa Phi.
