Dalena Le OTD ‘28

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I was drawn to occupational therapy after discovering it while traveling through Southeast Asia, where I saw firsthand how much support people needed to regain independence in their daily lives. That experience really stayed with me and made me want to be part of something that helps people feel more capable and confident again. I love that OT focuses on small, meaningful changes that can truly improve someone’s everyday life—it feels both personal and impactful in a way that really resonates with me.

I originally began my undergraduate studies on the pre-med track, but after graduating, I took time to travel throughout Asia and across the United States—I’m now only eight states away from visiting all 50. During this time, I also gained experience through military work, which strengthened my discipline, adaptability, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. I was also deeply involved in volunteering, especially as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, where I supported children in the foster care system. Altogether, these experiences broadened my perspective and shaped both my personal and professional growth.

What are your future plans in occupational therapy, either at USC or in your career?
Looking ahead, I’m interested in working with both geriatric and pediatric populations, as I appreciate the different perspectives and needs that come with each stage of life. I’m especially drawn to settings like home health or travel therapy, where I can build more meaningful, one-on-one connections and tailor care to each individual’s environment. In the long term, I hope to take this work internationally and contribute to underserved communities, where access to care is limited and the impact can be especially meaningful.

If you could watch a 5-minute video of any event in human history, what would it be, and why?
I would choose to watch a moment of early human interaction—specifically when different cultures first made contact and began exchanging ideas, language, and traditions. I think it would be fascinating to see how people communicated without a shared language and how trust and understanding were built in real time. It would give insight into human connection at its most raw and foundational level, which is something that still feels incredibly relevant today.

What are “green flags” (i.e., pleasant attributes) and “red flags” (i.e., unpleasant attributes) that you notice about other people?
Green flags I notice in others are strong communication, empathy, and consistency. I really appreciate people who are good listeners, respectful of others’ perspectives, and follow through on what they say. I also value a positive attitude and the ability to stay adaptable in different situations.
Red flags for me include lack of accountability, poor communication, and disrespect toward others. I find it concerning when someone is unreliable, dismissive of different viewpoints, or unable to take responsibility for their actions. Those qualities can make it difficult to build trust and connect.

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is in Accreditation–Inactive status by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.