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Marisa Rojo MA ’21

What brought you to occupational therapy?
Growing up as an athlete, I have always been interested and amazed by the human body! I have seen health care providers throughout my life playing an impactful role in rehabilitation through my grandma with dementia, my aunt with bipolar disorder, and my sister, a cancer survivor. I am excited to become someone that will have a positive affect on the health of another’s well being!

What area of practice are you interested in?
One thing about occupational therapy that I love is that there are so many options to practice in! Growing up with an aunt with Bipolar disorder, I am immediately drawn to mental health. I am also interested in learning more about health wellness or possibly working with athletes! I’m excited to find my practice throughout the program.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I have played volleyball since I was 13 years old and also continued to play collegiately. After graduating, I took a year off working as a Behavioral therapist for kids with autism while also volunteering and shadowing occupational therapists in different practices.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
My grandma’s handmade corn tortillas.

If you could visit any time in history, where would you go and why?
The ’60s . . . who wouldn’t want to live through the Beatles era?!

What are some small things that make your day better?
Seeing how excited my dogs get when I get home.

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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 master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited 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 apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.