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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 fully 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) has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation 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. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®).

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by 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.