Department of Occupational Therapy at Governors State University

04/03/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Our New Alpha Eta Inductees! 🎉

The Department of Occupational Therapy proudly congratulates our new students and faculty members inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society, the national honor society for the allied health professions, during the Fall 2025 semester.

We also celebrate our inductees who were formally recognized during the Alpha Eta cording ceremony on Monday, March 30—a meaningful milestone honoring your academic excellence, leadership, and service.

Alpha Eta recognizes outstanding achievement among students and faculty in the allied health professions and is dedicated to promoting scholarship, leadership, ethical practice, and service. Membership is a distinguished honor, reflecting a commitment to advancing healthcare professions and making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

The Governors State University Alpha Eta chapter provides opportunities for professional development, interprofessional collaboration, and service while celebrating excellence within the College of Health and Human Services.

👏 Congratulations to all of our inductees on this outstanding achievement! Your dedication and accomplishments strengthen our university and the future of allied health.

04/03/2026

GovState Alumni & Student Meet‑Up at AOTA 2026 Inspire Conference

Governors State University alumni and students attending the AOTA 2026 Inspire Conference are invited to join us for an informal GovState meet‑up near the conference!
This gathering is a chance to:

Reconnect with fellow GovState alumni and students
Meet current students, recent grads, and seasoned practitioners
Share what you’re working on, where your career has taken you, and what’s next
Build community and strengthen GovState connections within the OT profession

We are planning to host the meet‑up Thursday or Friday evening (final date, time, and nearby location to be determined based on interest). The event will be casual and welcoming—stop by, say hello, have some appetizers, and catch up with your GovState community.

👉 Please respond below to indicate your interest, your availability (Thursday and/or Friday), and whether you are an alumnus/a or current student. This will help us finalize details and select a convenient location.
We hope to see you at AOTA 2026 and look forward to connecting with you in person!

02/09/2026

GSU OT is hiring a tenure‑track Assistant/Associate Professor with NBCOT certification and IL licensure eligibility.
Preferred qualifications include a post‑professional doctorate/ABD and fieldwork coordination experience — but passion for our diverse student community matters most!
Don’t forget: Priority consideration begins Feb. 15, 2026.

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/govst/jobs/5147954/assistant-associate-professor-occupational-therapy

02/06/2026

✨ Thinking about applying to join the GSU OT faculty?
We’re searching for a dynamic educator to serve as our Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and teach in our graduate programs.
If you’re committed to student success, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration, now is the perfect time to submit your application!

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/govst/jobs/5147954/assistant-associate-professor-occupational-therapy

02/05/2026

📣 Reminder! Governors State University’s Department of Occupational Therapy is still accepting applications for our tenure‑track Assistant/Associate Professor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator position.
If you’re NBCOT‑certified, licensed (or eligible) in Illinois, and passionate about graduate OT education, we’d love to hear from you!
Priority review begins February 15, 2026.

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/govst/jobs/5147954/assistant-associate-professor-occupational-therapy

01/27/2026

📣 We’re Hiring! Join the Occupational Therapy Faculty at Governors State University 📣

The GSU Department of Occupational Therapy is excited to announce an opening for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor who will serve as our Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and teach in our graduate OT programs.
We are looking for an educator who is:
✔ NBCOT certified
✔ Licensed (or eligible) as an OT in Illinois
✔ Experienced or promising in graduate-level teaching
✔ Passionate about working with a diverse and vibrant student community
✔ Committed to scholarship, service, and supporting student success
✨ Preferred qualifications include a post-professional doctorate or ABD status, fieldwork coordination experience, or the ability to teach across a range of foundational and research courses.
📅 Priority consideration begins February 15, 2026.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply and become part of our supportive, student-centered department!
If you or someone you know may be a great fit, please share or tag them. We look forward to welcoming a new colleague to our GSU OT family! 🧡

Governors State University, located in University Park, about 30 miles south of the city of Chicago, is looking to fill a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor position in the Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Services. The candidate will primarily serve as the...

11/25/2025

👏 Celebrating Student Research Excellence at ILOTA! 👏
On Friday, November 21, Governors State University’s Occupational Therapy students showcased their hard work and professionalism at the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association Conference. Under the guidance of our dedicated faculty, these emerging scholars demonstrated strong knowledge and passion for advancing the field.

Research topics included:
✅ Fieldwork Educator Use of Knowledge Translation in Level II Fieldwork
✅ Gambling Among College Students
✅ The Rise of AI in Graduate Healthcare Programs
✅ Perceived Benefits of Senior Cafés
✅ Perceived Effectiveness of University Resources in Stress Management

We are proud of our students for representing GSU with excellence and contributing meaningful insights to the OT community!

11/25/2025

🎉 Congratulations to our ILOTA Award Winners! 🎉
Governors State University’s Department of Occupational Therapy is proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our community at the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association Awards:
✨ Nikayla Gordon (Class of 2025) – OT Student of the Year
Nikayla serves on the COTAD Executive Board and is a passionate advocate for OT awareness and equity. Her leadership and dedication inspire us all!
✨ Dr. Cynthia Carr – Public Awareness Award
Dr. Carr is an Associate Professor and an active member of the ILOTA Community Outreach Committee, whose efforts have amplified OT’s impact across Illinois.
✨ Jillian Rancatore – Fieldwork Educator Award
Jillian is a trusted mentor for our Level I and Level II students and an adjunct faculty member. Her commitment to shaping future practitioners is unmatched!
👏 We are proud of these outstanding professionals and students who embody the values of advocacy, education, and excellence in occupational therapy.

11/19/2025

🎉 Celebrating Distinguished Alumni! 🎉
We are proud to recognize Raven Hill, MOT Class of 2019, as a College of Health and Human Services inductee into GovState's Distinguished Alumni Class of 2025!
Raven was honored on November 8, 2025, at the Distinguished Alumni Reception at the Center for Performing Arts. This tradition, started in 2021, celebrates individuals making meaningful contributions in their fields and communities.
Raven’s journey is inspiring:
✅ Board-certified occupational therapist at Duke University Health System, specializing in cardiothoracic surgery and critical care
✅ Completed the AOTA Acute & Critical Care Fellowship at Duke University Hospital
✅ Educator in the Duke School of Medicine
✅ Developing a private practice for patients recovering from prolonged chronic illness
✅ Co-authoring a textbook on critical illness rehabilitation
Congratulations, Raven! Your dedication and impact exemplify the excellence of Governors State University’s MOT program. 💙

10/11/2025

The GovState Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) is an advanced post-professional OT degree. The program prepares you to evaluate and produce research, collaborate as a leader in the field, prepare to teach, and act as an advocate in healthcare through knowledge building with real-life applications aligned with your current professional roles or anticipated professional desires.

100% online program for working professionals – High-touch Faculty Mentorship – Affordable – 30 credit hours with completion in 24 months

Reach your Goals - After completing the program, you will have doors open for opportunities through:
Enhanced knowledge and ability to evaluate, apply and conduct research in occupational therapy
Leadership capabilities developed for today’s healthcare environment
Preparation to pursue employment in higher education
Advocacy practices

For more information contact: Dr. Cynthia Carr, Department of Occupational Therapy Program Coordinator at [email protected] or phone 708.534.7292

Application deadline is November 15 for SPRING 2026 program start date.

Learn more in an upcoming virtual session: https:www.govst.edu/drot

Join a cohort of other Occupational Therapists today – Classes start in Spring 2026!!

10/10/2025

Early Intervention Certificate Course

We are excited to share an educational opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners for early intervention. This course will expand your knowledge and skills about the distinct value of Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention. Whether you are a novice or experienced OT practitioner this course is for you. Highlighting and investigating best practices for OT in early intervention will support your implementation of these practices as you work with children and families. Through participation in this course you will:

· Understand and begin the EI credentialing process. (If you are already credentialed you will begin at the second module.)
· Gain knowledge about OT's Distinct value in the State of IL EI program
· Develop a working plan toward a career in EI
· Apply OT Best Practices in EI Assessment and Intervention
· Synthesize all learning modules through real life application
· Receive EI CE credits and obtain a certificate of completion
Refer to the attached flyer for more information and to register for an upcoming course.

04/29/2025

Meet Dr. Rebecca Kvasnicka!

📢 Celebrating Excellence at GovState!

We’re honoring the incredible contributions of a celebrated occupational therapist and GovState educator: Dr. Rebecca Kvasnicka (05’ & 16’)! 🌟

After graduating from Governors State University in 2005 with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, Dr. Kvasnicka has spent almost two decades helping adults with neurological and orthopedic challenges achieve their full potential. 💪

In 2016, she earned her post-professional doctoral degree at GovState. She returned to the University as an assistant professor, where she mentors future occupational therapists in the MOT program and guides current OTs into a deeper understanding of evidence-based practice in the post-professional DrOT program. She is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the MOT program, organizing fieldwork experiences and overseeing the fieldwork process. Her research has focused on fieldwork experiences for students and educators, and currently on graduate student wellness, with presentations at the state and national levels. She participates regularly in Interprofessional Education activities to prepare students for their roles in healthcare teams. 🌐

See her interview as part of the Alumni Association interview series here:

’re honoring the incredible contributions of a celebrated occupational therapist and GovState educator: Dr. Rebecca Kvasnicka (05’ & 16...