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Download Poster (2.4 MB)
Description
For my Capstone and Applied Leadership Experience (ALE), I partnered virtually with Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Foundation (KOTF), focusing on advocacy and development in alignment with ACOTE standards. The project’s goal was to promote occupational justice by increasing access to OT education through the creation of a targeted scholarship. Guided by my mentor, Dr. Colleen Schneck, and the KOTF board, we identified financial barriers as a significant issue for aspiring occupational therapy professionals. Our needs assessment showed a lack of OT-specific scholarships for students at varying educational levels. To address this, we developed a scholarship for OTA, OTP, and post-professional students at EKU. I created a user-friendly website detailing KOTF and the new scholarship, compiled a spreadsheet of national OT scholarships, and designed fundraising materials, including emails and flyers shared with multiple organizations and universities. I also identified local fundraising opportunities and passive income sources such as Kroger Plus Card and Meijer Rewards donations. Through this experience, I strengthened my leadership, communication, research, and time management skills while actively contributing ideas in KOTF board meetings from the perspective of a recent graduate. The project’s outcomes included a functional website, a community resource for financial aid, and increased awareness of KOTF’s mission. This experience emphasized the importance of advocacy, accessibility, and non-clinical contributions to occupational therapy practice.
Graduation Date
2025
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
Site Mentor
Dr. Colleen Schneck, Sc. D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Comments
Link to Capstone Video Presentation: https://youtu.be/e2JrbtX7qKg