Beyond the Classroom: Application of Academics to Practice
Written by Mackenzie Alspaugh, SOTA OTD President, Edited by Kelly Neal, OTD, OOTA Newsletter Co-Editor
For University of Findlay Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students, service learning isn’t a single event or requirement; it’s an evolving conversation with the communities they serve. This year, students found themselves in classrooms, conference halls, preschools, and parking lots—each setting offering a different lens on what it means to be an occupational therapist in practice.
That conversation began at Millstream Technical School, where four OTD students spent the day with approximately 65 junior and senior high school students, introducing them to the world of occupational therapy. Rather than relying on lectures, the OTD students invited participation, bringing hands-on activities, standard occupational therapy (OT) assessments, and adaptive equipment that allowed younger students to experience what OT looks like in action. The passion and willingness to connect with the audience made for a memorable and meaningful experience for the audience while also allowing the OTD students to strengthen their professional communication skills and demonstrate their commitment to promoting and advancing the field within the community.
“This opportunity allowed me to actively use and strengthen my educational skills while contributing to community outreach and increasing awareness of occupational therapy." - Rachel Stewart, OTD Student, SOTA COTAD (Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity) Co-Chair
That same spirit of engagement followed students to the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association (OOTA) Conference in Columbus. Volunteering behind the scenes, helping with check-in, directing attendees, setting up poster sessions, and documenting the event, gave students a closer look at the professional community they are preparing to join. The conference also offered a chance to step into friendly competition. During the inaugural Student Knowledge Bowl, hosted by The Ohio State University and University of Findlay Pi Theta Epsilon chapters, Avery Kasian and teammates put their OT knowledge to the test. Their win came with more than bragging rights; the prize helped offset NBCOT exam fees, turning academic preparation into financial support.
"This experience was truly an amazing experience and allowed me to connect with many other OT students from other surrounding colleges. I got to learn about the dynamics of other programs and build interprofessional skills to work as a team. The experience also gave me insight into how much I have learned so far in school and what I can expect for the NBCOT exam which is very exciting" - Avery Kasian, OTD Student
Back in the local community, students shifted gears to work with younger clients during preschool developmental screenings. Applying skills from their pediatrics coursework, students administered the Beery Visual-Motor Integration screening and translated results into individualized intervention plans. A second session allowed students to return and implement those interventions, bridging assessment and clinical reasoning with client-centered interventions.
"This experience really helped me to be confident in my clinical reasoning skills, especially when I made a breakthrough with my student!" - Mackenzie Alspaugh, OTD Student and SOTA President
Service learning also extended into the community through a partnership with the Findlay Chopin Hall Mobile Food Pantry, where students and faculty supported families through CarFit assessments and Car Seat Safety Checks. CarFit is an educational program that utilizes a 12-point checklist to assess vehicles for optimal safety and comfort for their drivers. It is especially beneficial to older adults who have common age-related changes to their reaction time, vision, and flexibility. CarFit was developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to provide free education to individuals to help them maintain their independence while driving. Car Seat Safety Checks provide a free educational service to ensure car seats are properly installed, appropriately matched to a child’s age, weight, and height, and include guidance on what type of seat will be needed as the child grows. In a setting focused on access and support, students used OT principles to address real-world safety and independence. From adjusting vehicle setups for older adults to educating caregivers on proper car seat installation, students worked with 214 families during the event, seeing firsthand how occupational therapy shows up in everyday life.
“CarFit provided me with the opportunity to not only obtain my CarFit certification, but also to practice beyond the walls of the clinic as an S/OT, all while giving back to the community.” - Megan Trausch, OTD Student
Across each experience, a common thread emerged: learning doesn’t happen in isolation. By meeting people where they are, whether in schools, professional spaces, or community events, SOTA students are shaping their professional identities while contributing meaningfully to the communities around them. Service learning, in this sense, becomes less about checking boxes and more about understanding occupation, connection, and impact in real time.
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