Student Ambassadors
2025–2026 Ambassadors

The USC Chan Student Ambassadors are current occupational therapy students. The role of a student ambassador is to help raise awareness for the field of occupational therapy and our programs here at USC. They provide tours, give informational presentations, help with events, blog about their experiences, post to Chan Division social media accounts, and answer questions from prospective students.

Below you can find information about the current USC Chan Student Ambassadors. If you have questions or feedback, you can contact the ambassadors at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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Angel(she/her/hers)

Hi! I’m Angela Ilaya, most people call me Angel. I’m a PP-MA student and proud USC Chan ambassador for 2025–2026.

Born and raised in the Philippines, I earned my OT degree at the University of the Philippines and practiced pediatric OT for three years before moving to the U.S. in 2024. I discovered OT through a friend, a speech therapist. Even though it felt like a vague idea at first, I took a leap of faith, pursued it—and I’m so glad I did! Now, I’m growing as a clinician, collaborator, and advocate. I’m excited to share my journey—the highs, challenges, and everything in between—with others navigating their own path in this transformative profession. Let’s begin.

Avery(she/her/hers)

Hi everyone! My name is Avery Lord. I am currently in my third year of undergrad in USC Chan’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Doctorate program. I was born and raised on a tree farm in a small town in Oregon.

Before I discovered Occupational Therapy, I had always been drawn to working in healthcare. The knowledge that I could dedicate my life to healing people and helping them live healthier, fuller lives excited me. I quickly discovered, however, that blood and surgeries weren’t for me, but my desire and drive for helping others still persisted. In high school, I had the privilege to be involved with organizations where I discovered my passion for working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was then that I learned about Occupational Therapy, and I haven’t looked back since. I hope to go into pediatrics and work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am also interested in travel OT, and entrepreneurship. One of my favorite parts of OT is how broad the field is, and I aspire to be a well-rounded therapist who can work in any setting. I can’t wait to continue my studies and start my fieldwork in the coming years.

When I am not in class or studying, some of my favorite occupations include lifting weights, traveling, kayaking, hiking, trying new foods, and of course spending quality time with my friends and family. I love being outdoors and am always looking for my next adventure.

At USC, I am Vice President of Best Buddies Club, serve as a trip leader for Peaks and Professors, and am a research assistant studying the effects of caregiver social touch in young children with ASD.

I am ecstatic to be a Chan undergraduate student ambassador for a second year. I love meeting prospective students and sharing information and my experience in a program and school that I adore. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions; about OT, the BS-OTD program, USC, or life!

Az(they/them)

Hello everyone! My name is Az Regidor. I am in the Class of 2027 Entry-Level OTD program. I was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States when I was 12 years old. I graduated from UCI with a BA in Psychological Sciences and a minor in Biological Sciences.

Growing up, I was exposed to different types of healthcare professions and knew at a young age that I wanted to help improve people’s health and well-being. I was introduced to occupational therapy in undergrad and learned about its holistic approach. Learning about OT’s holistic approach in gender affirming care inspired me to pursue occupational therapy where I can make a positive impact towards transgender and gender non-conforming individuals’ lives.

Outside of school, I enjoy being outdoors whether it’s hiking, camping, or even spending time with friends at the beach.

Cara(she/her/hers)

Hello! My name is Cara Ishisaka, and I’m from Sacramento, CA. I recently graduated from USC with a B.A. in Psychology and an Occupational Science (OS) minor, and I’m excited to be part of the E-OTD Class of 2028!

My admiration for OT grew out of my community involvement from working with children and the elderly. Whether it was assisting with homework, leading enrichment activities, or helping nursing home residents exercise, I found satisfaction in seeing that something I did was helpful to someone else in some way — be it academically, emotionally, mentally, or physically. And through my sister, who works alongside occupational therapists as a physical therapist, I learned how OT combines teaching and medicine to help individuals reconnect with their passions and find greater fulfillment in their lives. This resonated with me, affirming my decision to pursue this career. Plus, I couldn’t let my sister have all the fun as our family’s go-to therapist!

In laying the groundwork for my future career, I met Dr. Uyeshiro Simon at orientation and asked for advice on graduate school preparation. She suggested pursuing the OS minor to enhance my skills and knowledge. What I thought was a mere addition to my resume, transformed into an opportunity for greater self-discovery and growth. From practicing self-compassion to learning adult life skills and using animal-assisted therapy to improve patient morale and promote humility, I recognized the various ways that occupational therapy can be applied and gained the skill set needed to be the best OT possible.

During my free time, I love baking, exercising, traveling, and exploring scenic city spots, especially in good company. You can also find me trying new cafes and indulging in overpriced lattes around the city!

USC and the Chan community have been instrumental in my OT journey, and I’m proud to represent them as an ambassador. Feel free to reach out if you want to know more about OSOT, USC, or campus life. Fight on!

Ciara(she/her/hers)

Hello everyone! My name is Ciara Greenaway. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m currently in my second year in the USC Chan BS-OTD program.

Ever since I was young and my mom decided that I would be raised on Doc McStuffins, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare. I fell in love with the idea of being able to help others. In high school, I didn’t quite exactly know what I wanted to go into but I knew I was interested in therapeutics. Strangely, I first discovered occupational therapy when I was doom scrolling on TikTok the summer before my senior year. After hours of going down a wormhole of “OT-Tok” I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist. I fell in love with the holistic approach and the wide variety of specialties occupational therapy offers.

This summer, I even got the opportunity to intern for a pediatric occupational therapy clinic where I got to see concepts I learned be applied right in front of me! As I continue my journey on the accelerated pathway, I can’t wait to see what else is in store and especially learn more about the Neuro field.

In my free time, I love reading, exploring nature, going to restaurants, and going to museums. I also love exploring new occupations! This is my first year being an Chan Ambassador and I’m so excited to represent Chan and share more about the hidden gem at USC!

Cindy(she/her/hers)

Hello! I am Yung-Hsin Chang, 張永馨, or Cindy. I am in the Post-Professional Doctorate program (PP-OTD). I am from Taoyuan, Taiwan. I received a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in Taiwan. After graduation, I worked as an occupational therapist in hospital settings for two years. I primarily worked with adults with neurological and orthopedic conditions, such as stroke or bone fractures.

Like some, I had not had a chance to even hear about occupational therapy. I stumbled across occupational therapy at the end of my high school years. I was drawn to its holistic view of humans and its strong emphasis on client-centered approaches. In 2019, I attended the Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) program here at USC Chan, organized by the Global Initiatives office. I learned more about occupational therapy in different settings, areas, and countries. Everything I learned during the program encouraged me to remain curious and innovative. In addition, I am most interested in occupational science and Lifestyle Redesign®.

These reasons led me to the decision to pursue post-professional training at USC Chan. I graduated from the Post-Professional Master’s program (PPMA) at USC in 2024. I am now in the PP-OTD program and doing my residency at our faculty practice, practicing Lifestyle Redesign® and learning more about occupational science!

I genuinely enjoy professional-related learning! In my free time, I love going to art or science museums, watching movies, hiking, cooking, bouldering, and hanging out with friends.

I am honored to serve as a student ambassador and look forward to hearing from you! I am happy to talk about my experience as an international student and a student in the PP-OTD and PP-MA programs or answer any questions. Fight on!

Katelyn(she/her/hers)

Hello! I’m Katelyn Tiu, a student in the E-OTD Class of 2027. I was born and raised in Arcadia, CA, and graduated from Azusa Pacific University (APU) with a double major in Kinesiology and Honors Humanities, along with a minor in Psychology.

My journey to choosing occupational therapy (OT) started in high school. I decided to sign up for a Sports Medicine class out of pure curiosity. I found myself watching from the sidelines of football games and witnessed a good friend tear his anterior cruciate ligament. This experience sparked my fascination with athletic training and rehabilitation and led me to learning about kinesiology. At APU, my passion for kinesiology deepened, resulting in an internship at a pediatric outpatient clinic. There, I saw firsthand how OT blends intervention with creativity to work with children in meaningful ways.

Outside of USC, I’m an avid adventurer who loves trail running and hiking. I enjoy exploring the trails all around SoCal. In a similar vein of outdoor hobbies, I love hammocking with a good book and being able to enjoy the California sun. If I’m not outside enjoying nature, you can find me bouldering at an indoor climbing gym or fulfilling my love for the arts. I love throwing clay and am always looking for new ceramic projects!

Makayla(she/her/hers)

Hi everyone! My name is Makayla Lui, and I am a current senior majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Occupational Science. I was born and raised in a small beach town in Palos Verdes, CA.

What makes me proud to be a Trojan is having the privilege of being able to pursue higher education in no greater place than Los Angeles, in my very own backyard. I’ve had the unique experience of attending college on both coasts (USC and NYU!), which has given me a greater appreciation for the diverse perspectives and cultures that influence how we learn and live. I appreciate engaging with others about shared experiences and cultural values that shape our unique identities, and I enjoy deconstructing the framework of these experiences to better understand ourselves and the world around us.

After enrolling in OT250, I developed a strong foundation in how meaningful occupations shape our identity and quality of life, and I was eager to declare an Occupational Science (OS) minor to further complement my studies. My major lies at the intersection of human cognition and technology, and when paired with the OS minor, it has given me great insight into the role of adaptive health strategies and technological initiatives viewed through a holistic lens. Through the program’s unique offerings and interdisciplinary nature, I have gained experiences that have helped develop essential skills for life and beyond, and in doing so, I have been able to not only grow personally but also academically while engaging in this tight-knit community!

My favorite occupations include reading, listening to music at the beach, watching movies, shooting film photography, going to concerts, and stationery shopping! I look forward to engaging in collaborative initiatives to promote the field of Occupational Therapy while building meaningful relationships with like-minded students from diverse backgrounds. Feel free to reach out for any advice or with any questions! Fight On!

Tobechi(she/her/hers)

Hi everyone! My name is Tobechi Udeh, and I’m currently a first-year—soon to be second-year—student in USC Chan’s Entry-Level OTD program.

I was born and raised in Southern California and earned my undergraduate degree in Health Science with a focus on Community Health Education from California State University, Long Beach. I discovered occupational therapy after completing my first degree, thanks to a family member of mine who was pursuing a PhD in Occupational Science here at USC.

That initial exposure led me to explore occupational therapy, and the more I learned, the more I felt drawn to the profession. I was especially inspired by how occupational therapy embraces the uniqueness of each individual and supports people in leading meaningful, empowered lives. My passion for this field continues to grow with each course I take here at USC, which are not only helping me become the occupational therapist I aspire to be, but also expanding how I view health, wellness, equity and the role of occupation in building more inclusive and equitable communities.

Outside of the classroom, some of my favorite activities include reading, hiking, trying new restaurants, and watching movies/tv shows! As an ambassador, I look forward to sharing my excitement about occupational therapy and USC with all of you!

Trinity(she/her/hers)

Hello! My name is Trinity Mecham (she/her/hers), and I’m currently in my first year of the Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (EOTD) program here at USC! I’ve actually been at USC for four years already as part of the BS-OTD program, and I’m so excited to now be continuing my journey as a graduate student.

Originally, I am from Joshua Tree, California, a place my friends have lovingly nicknamed real life “Radiator Springs”. It is a small desert town with great people and fantastic landscapes about 2 hours east of Los Angeles. If you have never been to Joshua Tree, I would highly recommend it!

I have known I wanted to be an occupational therapist since sophomore year of high school. My mom is a special education teacher, and she told me that I was meant to be an occupational therapist. She was right! I did research and shadowed a school-based occupational therapist, and I fell in love with the profession. The creative approach to individualized care and the holistic client-centered work really appealed to my desire to help others. Even now, watching OT videos on YouTube and meeting different OTs in the field brings me so much joy. There is just so much to do and learn in occupational therapy! Because I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist, it narrowed my college search down significantly and prompted me to apply to USC’s accelerated program.

One of the things I love most about occupational therapy is the incredible variety in our scope of practice. It is a field where we have the opportunity to work across the lifespan. Because of this, I still do not entirely know what area of practice I am interested in. Pediatrics is what I thought I would love doing, but productive aging and adult rehabilitation sound amazing too! I am leaning toward working with adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities transitioning into adulthood and independent living. Still, I am grateful I am graduating as a generalist practitioner through this program, so I do not have to fully decide what interests me right away. I have the opportunity to do it all!

My absolute favorite place on earth is Disneyland, and you will find me there quite often since it is only a train ride away from USC. I love watching sports with friends, especially at USC (Fight On!), and I am a big Lego enthusiast as well. I’m also a huge reader and love to travel whenever I get the chance. Some things that fill my time now are being a resident assistant in university housing, working at the USC ticket office (again Fight On!), and of course, the many joys involved in being a student (i.e. homework).

I’m incredibly proud to be part of the USC Chan community and the larger Trojan family. If you have any questions about OT, USC, or student life in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or one of the other student ambassadors. We’re always happy to help!

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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.