Department of Occupational Therapy at Governors State University

Department of Occupational Therapy at Governors State University Students, alumni, and potential students to learn about the Department of Occupational Therapy

đź‘Ź Thank You, MOT Students!A big shoutout to Tionna and Jacky for representing the Department of Occupational Therapy at ...
06/10/2026

đź‘Ź Thank You, MOT Students!
A big shoutout to Tionna and Jacky for representing the Department of Occupational Therapy at GovState’s Open House this past Saturday! Their enthusiasm and preparation was evident as they shared their experiences in the MOT program and the broader GovState community with prospective students and families. 🧡

Interested in learning more about our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program or joining an upcoming virtual info session? Click here ➡️ https://www.govst.edu/academics/programs/occupational-therapy-mot

We’re also still accepting applications for our post-professional DrOT program—find out more here ➡️ https://www.govst.edu/academics/programs/occupational-therapy-dot

🎉 Celebrating OT Excellence at GovState Research Days! 🎉We are proud to recognize our MOT and DrOT students and faculty ...
06/05/2026

🎉 Celebrating OT Excellence at GovState Research Days! 🎉
We are proud to recognize our MOT and DrOT students and faculty for their incredible contributions during GovState’s Research Days! 🧡
Our OT community was strongly represented through a doctoral capstone presentation and multiple MOT student poster sessions, showcasing the depth, innovation, and impact of their work across diverse areas of practice. Their projects reflected a commitment to evidence-based practice, community engagement, and advancing the profession.
A special highlight was the collaborative presentation by Dr. Rebecca Kvasnicka, Dr. Keith Werosh, and Dr. Somi Nagaraj, who represented the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) in a culminating celebration of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Activities Committee’s work during AY25–26.
Their work emphasized:
✨ Multiple engaging IPE events across CHHS
✨ Development of a comprehensive Activities Guide to support IPE both in and out of the classroom
✨ Ready-to-use activities focused on teamwork, collaboration, roles & responsibilities, communication, and ethics
Together, these efforts demonstrate the power of interprofessional collaboration and the essential role of OT in fostering holistic, team-based care.
We are incredibly proud of our students and faculty for going above and beyond to share their knowledge, passion, and leadership with the broader GovState community. 🧡

🎉 Celebrating SOTA at GovState! 🎉A huge congratulations to GovState’s Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) fo...
06/04/2026

🎉 Celebrating SOTA at GovState! 🎉
A huge congratulations to GovState’s Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) for their outstanding presentation at the April Faculty Senate meeting! 👏
Outgoing President Laila Atra-Yassin and incoming President Jacky Gonzalez represented SOTA with passion, professionalism, and purpose—highlighting not only their shared foundation in occupational therapy, but also the heart behind their work. 🧡

They showcased:
✨ Meaningful membership activities that build community and professional identity
✨ Impactful volunteer efforts that extend care beyond the classroom
✨ Engaging campus and community events that promote wellness and inclusion
✨ Fundraising initiatives that support service, growth, and outreach

What truly stood out was how they went above and beyond—using this platform to advocate for occupational therapy and raise awareness across the broader GovState community, including faculty and administration. Their leadership reflects the very essence of OT: empowering others, fostering participation, and making a difference. 🧡

We are so proud of SOTA for championing the profession with such dedication and enthusiasm—your work inspires us all! 🌟

🎓 Busy Semester for Our MOT Students! 🧡Our MOT Class of 2027 had a hands-on, high-impact spring semester! 🧡🧠 The semeste...
05/29/2026

🎓 Busy Semester for Our MOT Students! 🧡

Our MOT Class of 2027 had a hands-on, high-impact spring semester! 🧡

🧠 The semester culminated in Neuroscience for OT with students creating concept maps exploring how neurological conditions affect the person, environment, occupations, and performance. These presentations were shared poster- style in the G-Atrium with the class of 2026 and anyone interested.

💪 In Movement labs, they learned many assessment and intervention strategies. Two of the many labs that they found interesting were kinesio taping and measured grip & pinch strength—learning how strength impacts daily function.

From labs to case-based learning, our students are building the skills they need to become thoughtful, effective occupational therapists! 🧡

[images of graduate students engaged in various learning activities and assignments]

🎓 Alumni Spotlight!Meet Paige Oliver, MOT, OTR/L—a recent GovState grad who is ready to help others regain independence ...
05/28/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight!
Meet Paige Oliver, MOT, OTR/L—a recent GovState grad who is ready to help others regain independence through occupational therapy!

During her time at GSU, Paige built strong connections with faculty and classmates while gaining hands-on experience in settings like acute care. Now officially licensed, she’s excited to begin her OT career and make a difference in people’s lives every day.

đź”— Read more: https://gsunews.govst.edu/paige-oliver-helping-others-regain-independence-with-occupational-therapy/

🎓 Alumni Spotlight!Meet Dr. Jillian Rancatore—a proud three-time GovState graduate (BA, MOT, DrOT)! 🙌Jillian balanced fa...
05/27/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight!
Meet Dr. Jillian Rancatore—a proud three-time GovState graduate (BA, MOT, DrOT)! 🙌
Jillian balanced family, career, and doctoral studies while growing as an occupational therapist—and giving back as an adjunct instructor and fieldwork educator for our MOT program. 💙
We’re so proud of the difference she’s making for her clients and our students!

đź”— Read more: https://gsunews.govst.edu/jillian-rancatore-strengthening-her-skills-as-an-occupational-therapist/

🎉 Congratulations to Our New Alpha Eta Inductees! 🎉The Department of Occupational Therapy proudly congratulates our new ...
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.

đź‘Ź 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!

Address

1 University Parkway
University Park, IL
60484

Telephone

+17085347293

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