Student Blog

Pre-OT Program: Learning and Advocating about Occupational Therapy (OT) ⟩
November 6, 2025, by Az

Getting Involved

The Pre-OT Pathway Program is an incredible opportunity for undergraduate and recently graduated students who are passionate about pursuing a career in occupational therapy. It’s the perfect stepping stone for anyone curious about what occupational therapy (OT) really is and how to navigate the process of applying to occupational therapy programs.

What makes this program so special is its structure: it meets once a month on a Saturday, bringing together students from different majors and backgrounds. Each session comes with valuable insight, featuring guest speakers (faculty members), interactive discussions, and advice from current students at USC Chan (student leads: Lilia and me!). It’s a welcoming space where curiosity meets community, and every meeting feels both inspiring and motivating.

As one of the student leads in the program, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide students through their Pre-OT journey. This leadership role has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time as a Student Ambassador at USC Chan. Alongside my fellow second-year OT student, Lilia, I help plan the curriculum, coordinate speakers, and mentor students who are still discovering what occupational therapy truly means. It’s been such a fun experience and something that strengthened my leadership, organization, and communication skills while allowing me to support and inspire the next generation of future OT students.

Being a student lead has also helped me make meaningful connections between what I learn in class and how those lessons apply in the real world. As a second-year OT student, I’m constantly learning new theories, techniques, and clinical skills that I get to share with our Pre-OT students. Each monthly session reminds me why I chose this field and it’s not just about helping people, but about empowering them to live their lives to the fullest. Seeing that same excitement and curiosity in the students I mentor keeps me motivated to keep growing, both personally and professionally.

To learn more about the Pre-OT Pathway or to sign-up, visit https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/student-life/usc-pa-pathways/, or reach out to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

⋯

My Favorite Hidden Study Spots at University Park Campus ⟩
November 5, 2025, by Avery

Community Life Hacks Living in LA School/Life Balance

Happy Midterms season, Trojans! As I am now in my third year living and studying on USC’s University Park Campus (UPC), I thought I’d share some of my favorite, and often overlooked, spots to study. Whether you’re gearing up for midterms, catching up on readings, or squeezing in those final essay pages, finding the perfect study spot can completely change your productivity (and your mood). Here are some of my favorite hidden spots at UPC to hunker down and knock it out.

Category One: Coffee shops
My favorite way to study is with a fresh iced latte and a good friend across the table. My two favorite spots near UPC for just that are Ministry of Coffee (MOC) and Eruta Nature.

Ministry of Coffee is tucked right next to the Trojan Catholic Center. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty of coffee, matcha, and pastry or lunch options to power you through the afternoon.

BONUS: Right above Ministry of Coffee is the Trojan Catholic Center library. It’s the perfect spot if you need a quieter, more peaceful place to focus. I like to take the stairs up to the library when I need to switch things up.

Eruta Nature, located inside Rock & Reilly’s in the USC Village, is another gem. By night, the space transforms into an Irish-themed pub and sports bar, but in the mornings, Eruta Nature serves up freshly baked bagels and excellent lattes. You can almost always find a table to sit at, and their coffee-and-bagel combo deals are hard to beat.

Category Two: Library Hidden Gems

Everyone already knows about the big two (Leavey and Doheny Library). These two huge libraries hold hundreds of students studying every day. However, there are some lesser-known hidden library gems on campus too.

The USC Hoose Library of Philosophy sits on the north end of campus, just above Mudd Hall. It’s hard to describe this library as anything but magical. Whenever family or friends visit campus, I always make sure it’s on the must-see list. It’s that beautiful. If you want to romanticize your study session and feel like you’ve stepped into a Disney movie, the Philosophy Library is the perfect place.
Be warned, though: it’s small, has limited hours (9 a.m.–4:45 p.m. on weekdays), and is closed on weekends. Plus, no food or drinks are allowed — so plan accordingly!

The Doheny Memorial Library Bookstacks are one of USC’s best-kept secrets. While Doheny is known for its grand, ballroom-like study rooms featured in movies and TV shows, few students venture into the quieter, hidden side of the building (where the books actually live). Just past the front desk, you’ll find the entrance to nine floors of low-ceilinged, maze-like stacks. Tucked among the shelves are secluded desks and tables that make perfect hideaways when you need zero distractions. Just don’t get lost on your way back out!

Category Three: Miscellaneous

Many students don’t realize that when classes aren’t in session, you can use empty classrooms to get some work done. I especially like studying in the classrooms in Taper Hall and DMC. It’s a bit of a gamble, as you will get asked to leave if a class starts up, but it often works well in the afternoons or evenings when the buildings are quieter. There’s something nice about having a whole classroom to yourself to focus, spread out and bring a study group, or even practice a presentation.

The Tutor Campus Center (TCC) sits right in the heart of campus, next to the bookstore and the Tommy Trojan statue. The first floor is home to several popular lunch spots that accept dining dollars, as well as the Admissions Center. But the real hidden gem is upstairs — take the grand staircase (or the elevator) to the second floor, where you’ll find several student lounges. These spaces are sometimes reserved for events, but when they’re open, they make for a perfect mid-day study spot or a comfortable place to relax between classes.

Happy studying, Trojans! I wish you the best of luck!

⋯

Day in the Life of a First-Year E-OTD Student ⟩
November 2, 2025, by Cara

Classes Community School/Life Balance Videos

Come spend a day in my life as a first-year student in USC Chan’s Entry-Level Doctorate program! One of my favorite things about this program is that I am never bored with the curriculum. The curriculum ranges from foundational courses like philosophy, kinesiology, and neuroscience to exercising my creativity through reflective practices and crafts. No two days are alike, and I leave each class more passionate about the profession and inspired by the impact I want to make as a future practitioner.

If you have questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

⋯

OS Symposium 2025 ⟩
November 1, 2025, by Trinity

Getting Involved

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to go to the USC Chan Occupational Science Symposium focused on Embodiment, Emplacement, and Occupational Science. It was held at a great venue, the Huntington in Pasadena. I am so grateful to the people who made this event possible! It was truly an experience I will never forget!

The keynote speaker, Dr. Antoine Bailliard, gave a great talk on embodiment and emplacement and how they affect occupation. He explained that occupations are best understood through our perceptions of the world and the interconnectedness of our minds, bodies, and environments. I especially liked Dr. Bailliard’s focus on the sensory environment in our occupational experiences. When a sensory environment is familiar, it may make an experience more comfortable. It is important for occupational therapists to keep a client’s sensory needs as well as their sensory habits in mind when working with them. If you want to learn more from Dr. Bailliard, check out all of his publications!

Next, I attended a breakout session with Dr. Rebecca Aldrich  and Dr. Joy Agner, who, along with current PhD students, are studying “Third Places,” which are places that help individuals to socialize and build connections. Check here for more information into the grant supporting this research!

Similar to Dr. Bailliard’s address, the researchers stressed that environments shape experiences rather than creating the backdrop for our occupations. They highlighted a way to conceptualize these third places, my favorite of which is the importance of diverse participants.
You can read about their research in full detail here:
Dr. Aldrich and team
Dr. Agner and team

After this, we had a wonderful lunch and a walk around the beautiful grounds of the Huntington. The Huntington’s remarkable botanical gardens feature plants from all diverse regions that honor different cultures and communities. Walking around this beautiful place was a perfect break in the day.

Afterwards, Dr. Diane Parham gave a tribute to Elizabeth Yerxa, a great mover and shaker in the field of occupational therapy and a founder of occupational science. Yerxa, who passed away within the last year, did so much for the field of occupational therapy, and I am so glad I could witness this tribute. To learn more about Elizabeth Yerxa, check here!

Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen, the Elizabeth June Yerxa Lecturer, spoke on how to be an occupational therapy professional, how to be a change agent, how to be a scientist, and how to be a mentor in the context of her current research projects and the life of Elizabeth Yerxa. She researches Parkinson’s disease. My favorite quote from her lecture was “Rebel against an uncooperative environment.”

Finally, I attended the lecture of Dr. Ashley Uyeshiro Simon and Dr. Diego Lopez. They talked about the importance of having an engaging classroom environment, especially in the university context. This was a great way to end a fantastic day as it prompted ample group discussion and activity. I learned how important it can be to disrupt a predetermined set of actions in the classroom by changing the environment, expectations, or the activity.

This experience was incredibly beneficial for me as an aspiring occupational therapist. It is so wonderful to be in a room of people who all know what occupational therapy is and who all want to make the profession better. To be in a room where everyone has a vested interest in what is being shared is not an experience to take for granted, and I will cherish it as I continue on my occupational therapy journey. Remaining up to date with the latest research in the field is essential to providing the best possible care, and attending events like the symposium can be one way to stay informed.

⋯

Insights Into the 2025 Hill Day Experience ⟩
October 12, 2025, by Guest Author

Getting Involved

Hear from Guest Blogger Kyra Aligaen about her experience at Hill Day!

I went to the Hill to talk to my representatives about OT, and you can too! My Insights Into the 2025 Hill Day Experience.

As students and hopeful occupational therapy clinicians, it might not seem like we can move the needle much, if at all, when it comes to making change in our field. In all honesty, I used to be someone who thought so too.

It didn’t take long for me to be convinced of just how much power exists within my own voice. At the Chan Division, I am surrounded by countless leaders of the profession, including our very own American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) President Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh and Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) President Dr. Samia Rafeedie, who have inspired me to be an unapologetic advocate for the magic that is occupational therapy.

When the Chan Division Hill Day Leadership Award application came out at the end of August, there was no question that I would apply. Student Leadership Award recipients are allotted $500 by the Division to use on transportation and lodging costs in Washington DC. This is an incredible opportunity to focus your energy and efforts on the big day.

Twelve students from the Chan Division traveled to the nation’s capital for AOTA Hill Day. Based on our voting address (I am registered to vote in San Bernardino County), my peers and I were assigned groups and a series of meetings from about 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM to meet with our representatives or their staffers to discuss bills and policies that can support the profession and the people who receive OT care.

Some of you might be thinking, Kyra, I’m not a policy person, and I can’t talk about legislation. I’m here to say, don’t worry! Neither am I! AOTA sets up all Hill Day participants to be successful for all of their meetings. On the AOTA website, there is comprehensive and digestible information in the form of video and PDF summaries breaking down each of the bills you are responsible for as well as the explicit asks to make to your representatives.

If you are curious, you can take a look at the legislative issues we covered this 2025 Hill Day. One of the bills we talked about was the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act (H.R. 2013). As it stands, occupational therapy services cannot be ordered as a stand-alone home health service under Medicare. This means that currently, occupational therapy cannot be ordered as a home health service without being referred to by nursing, physical therapy, or speech language pathology. This bill would allow OT to come into older adults’ homes without having to jump through other hoops just to reach their patients. As Dr. Rafeedie said in one of our meetings, “It’s like needing to see the optometrist but having to go through your dentist first.”

Every meeting, my peers, alongside our group’s designated OT, Dr. Hiral Khatri, divided and conquered our responsibilities in the brief time we were allotted to meet with representatives. Some of my peers were assigned to cover bills and others shared personal anecdotes about seeing occupational therapy’s impact. My primary role in each of the meetings was to provide a quick elevator pitch for what our profession entails. Some of you may know that this can be one of the hardest things to explain as OT students! My pitch for the day went along these lines, “Occupational therapists help individuals engage in meaningful occupations, so this is anything that a person needs to do, wants to do, and is expected to do. Some examples include helping individuals who had relearn self-care skills after a stroke, supporting those who have chronic conditions manage their medications or conserve energy,  or supporting children with disabilities engage in school-based classroom activities or social participation. While OTs can work in a diverse array of settings, ultimately our goal is to help individuals enhance their quality life.”

As time went on, we grew more confident about our spiel and even more excited to share about occupational therapy. As a resident of the Inland Empire, one of the most exciting parts of the day for me was getting to meet my very own Congressional Representative, Congressman Pete Aguilar of California’s 33rd District. We were informed earlier that morning that Congressman Aguilar would be finishing up voting in the House, close to when our meeting with him was slated. To see him, my peers and I were escorted by two of Congressman Aguilar’s kind staffers through the Capitol Hill underground tunnels to reach the House!

Spending a day on the Hill was nothing short of an amazing experience. AOTA reported that on Hill Day 2025, 29 states and Washington, DC were represented, 316 OT advocates participated, 173 congressional meetings were held, and there were 24 meetings with members of Congress (2 of which my group was able to participate in!) And it wasn’t all business! My peers and I met new friends from OT programs with students, faculty, and leaders across the country, brought together by our joint love of the profession and belief in our profession’s capabilities. After a long day of advocacy, we all celebrated by heading to a local pub together.

In DC, we were all at the heart of where change is, and can be made in this country. I saw the bustling people moving to and fro between offices and buildings across the Hill, and spoke with representatives and their staffers. It was just a glimpse into all the moving parts that it takes for this country to operate and for people to access the care and services they need. I got to play a small role in that process with the hopes that my brief visit to the Hill could cascade into greater change.

Taking the time to have one conversation with someone who can push your words, your stories, and your hopes forward could be the difference between a person receiving the care that can enhance their quality of life (what we as OTs are in the business of doing!!) — or not.

While I highly recommend that anyone participate in the Hill Day experience, traveling to Washington DC is not the only way to advocate for the profession. Joining and being active in your national and state associations is another way! If you’ve ever been excited to hear occupational therapy mentioned in a movie or TV show, your membership dues are what allow for that visibility of the profession. It is what gives OTs the platform and access to speak on issues that are important to us. You can also contact your representatives from anywhere! Follow AOTA for guidance on legislation and locate your representatives to voice your concerns to them about the needs of the profession by emailing or calling.

If that is still daunting to you, the biggest takeaway from my experience is this: At the end of the day, what legislators really want to hear from you is your why. Why did you choose to dedicate years of study to this profession? Why do you believe in it?

Hold onto your stories as you move throughout your studies and your career. When it comes to advocacy, that is your most unique superpower.

⋯