By Dr. Luis Arabit, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Since the start of the Spring 2024 semester, the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at San José State University (SJSU) has been buzzing with activity, dedicated to fostering community, peer education, fundraising, and collaboration between students and faculty. Their journey began on February 2, 2024, with a CommunOT Picnic/Field Day. Despite the rain forcing a shift from the SJSU lawn grounds to a classroom, the event was a hit. Both masters and doctoral OT students, along with faculty, participated enthusiastically in OT Olympic-designed games, forging bonds and strengthening teamwork.

The momentum continued with a Kinesiotaping workshop on February 3, led by a passionate Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Masters and doctoral students came together to learn foundational skills, discovering the therapeutic benefits of Kinesiotaping in providing support and reducing pain and swelling.

On February 9, fifteen masters students volunteered at “Night to Shine,” hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation, a prom event benefiting children and young adults with special needs. Accompanying honored guests, they spread joy and assisted with activities throughout the evening.

Then came the highlight of February: the inaugural OT Valentine’s Prom Night on February 16, organized by SOTA’s AOTA representatives. With attendees donning semi-formal attire, the event sold 133 tickets, raising $1,402 for the AOTA student conference fund, AOTPAC, and SOTA general funds. The night was filled with dancing, dinner, and various activities, culminating in the crowning of the Prom King and Queen.

March and April saw more community-building efforts with “Social at Guildhouse” events for first and second-year students. But SOTA didn’t stop there. On March 19-20, they hosted a two-day garage sale, raising funds for the MSOT 2024 graduating class celebration. Donated items flew off the shelves, from clothing to games, all contributing to the cause.

The grand finale came on April 2 with the Spring Apparel Fundraiser, which raised an impressive $2,281 for SJSU OT Clinics and their clients. The funds will go toward purchasing essential items for clients undergoing OT interventions, a testament to SOTA’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

Through their tireless efforts, SOTA demonstrated the power of unity, compassion, and dedication in the pursuit of bettering communities and enriching lives.

There are many more educational events that were scheduled in April, and they include a Workshop on Women’s Health, Prenatal and Mental Health and a Workshop on Interviewing, Negotiation, & Mentorship Post graduation. The masters and doctoral OT students have been active and on the move since the start of the semester coordinating numerous departmental and on campus events. They are caring, dynamic, energetic, and tireless OT students. Most of all, they are the future of Occupational Therapy! Thank you SOTA for all you do! The future for Occupational Therapy is bright!

By Dr. Luis Arabit, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

The 2024 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida, was not only a gathering of professionals but also a celebration of excellence within the field. Among the distinguished recipients of national awards were Dr. Winifred Schulz-Krohn and Dr. Luis Arabit, whose contributions have significantly impacted the occupational therapy (OT) profession.

Dr. Schulz-Krohn, Emeritus Faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy, received dual honors: the AOTA 2024 Distinguished Educator Award and the AOTA 2024 Retired Educators Commendation Award. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Schulz-Krohn has embodied the essence of a distinguished educator through her servant-leader-educator approach. Her commitment to promoting others is evident in her extensive support for students, launching them into successful careers as occupational therapists. Notably, her pro bono services spanning two decades at a local shelter for unhoused families have provided invaluable research opportunities for students, resulting in numerous presentations at state, national, and international conferences. Additionally, her efforts in securing an endowed scholarship at San José State University underscore her dedication to supporting future OT professionals.

Dr. Arabit, Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was the recipient of AOTA 2024 Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Arabit has generously shared his extensive expertise with colleagues, students, and others to move the OT profession forward. He has “made significant contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy” in political and professional advocacy and leadership. He organized events and provided presentations and lectures on the importance of advocacy and legislation impacting occupational therapy. His advocacy and leadership positions include elected and appointed positions at the local, state, and national levels. As OTAC VP, he was instrumental in increasing membership in the Occupational Therapy Association of California and as the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) Region V Director and AOTPAC Ambassadors Co-Chair he has inspired students and practitioners to actively support the profession and advocate for consumer access to care.

The recognition of Dr. Schulz-Krohn and Dr. Arabit at the 2024 AOTA conference serves as a testament to their exemplary dedication and outstanding contributions to the field of occupational therapy. Their unwavering commitment to education, advocacy, and leadership continues to inspire and elevate the profession, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals within the community.

The Occupational Therapy Department has a lot to be proud of in 2023. The following are a list of faculty achievements:

• Dr. Deborah Bolding published an article entitled “An exploratory survey of incivility experienced by novice occupational therapists educated using a servant leadership model” in the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education.
• Dr. Chiao-Ju Fang received the 2023 SJSU RSCA Seed Grant Program Award and was also awarded the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) 2- year implementation grant on her research project entitled “Implementation of App-Based Coaching Intervention (Social Participation and Navigation; SPAN) to Promote Participation of Young adults with autism spectrum disorders ASD).”
• Dr. Lynne Andonian is now a Fulbright Specialist and was recently appointed to the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) Practice Committee.
• Dr. Megan Chang and Dr. Katrina Long were invited guests by the AOTF at their 61st Annual Corporate Meeting in San Francisco where they took part in reviewing the status of the 2023-2025 strategic plan, presented committee reports and voted on the AOTF Slate of Elections. In addition, Dr. Long’s proposal for the AOTA INSPIRE 2024 conference in Orlando, FL, was accepted as a poster with the topic entitled “Design and baseline characteristics of PreActive-PD telehealth coaching to increase physical activity in early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.”
• Dr. Cesar Arada is the newly elected OTAC Region 3 Director-Elect. He was also reappointed to serve a second term as National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Ambassador for California.
• Dr. Hiral Katri presented at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy’s Global Initiative Group, where she shared her experiences as an OT working in India.
• Dr. Luis Arabit was the recipient of the 2023 Luella Grangaard Political Action Award from the OTAC at their annual conference in Pasadena. In addition, his podium proposal to speak at the AOTA INSPIRE 2024 in Orlando, FL was accepted with the topic entitled “AOTPAC and AOTPAC Ambassadors: Partners in Advocacy for the Future of Occupational Therapy.”

Skyler Trezona has been awarded the Evelyn Jaffe Scholarship from CFOT.

Kiana Shibata has been awarded the Lisa Test Endowed Scholarship from CFOT.

Dr. Courtney Boitano has been awarded the Lisa Test Endowed Research Award combined with the CFOT Research Grant Award.

Ciara Stewart has been awarded the Wilma West Scholarship from CFOT.

By: Dr. Luis Arabit, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

On November 3, 2003, the Occupational Therapy department, in the College of Health and Human Science at San José State University (SJSU) proudly celebrated its 80th founding anniversary. The program was founded in 1943 as one of the first occupational therapy programs in the Western United States and is the oldest accredited Occupational Therapy program in the California State University system.

The celebration was held at the SJSU Student Union Ballroom and featured two well known leaders in the OT field as co-keynote speakers, Dr. Lela Llorens and Dr. Penny Kyler. Both speakers discussed the importance of membership in OT professional organizations and also addressed the significance of increasing diversity equity and inclusion in the OT workforce through advocacy and recruitment. The event included attendees such as former alumni and faculty who have contributed to the OT program’s rich history. The celebration also hosted concurrent educational sessions for attendees with invited guest speakers who are graduates of the OT program. The celebration culminated with a dinner reception complete with a photo booth, a jazz band and raffle prizes provided by event sponsors.

Tremendous appreciation goes out to the Chair of the OT department, Dr. Gigi Smith, the OT Staff, Faculty and the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) who volunteered their precious time to contribute to the success of the celebration! Happy 80th Anniversary to the OT Program!

**A little piece of SJSU OT Program history: In March 1943, the OT curriculum was presented to the AOTA Council on Education for approval and by June 1944, the program was fully accredited with Ms. Mary Booth as the first appointed occupational therapist in charge of the program. Soon thereafter, Ms. Booth received an academic appointment as Assistant Professor and was responsible for establishing the foundation upon which the program was built. During Ms. Booth’s tenure as department head, the department grew as well as the quality of the educational curriculum. Through a gift in Ms. Booth’s will the College established the Mary D. Booth Occupational Therapy Endowment Scholarship in her memory. (Lorraine Pedretti, 1993.  History of the department of occupational therapy, 1943-1993).

By Luis Arabit

On March 8, 2023, Dr. Luis Arabit, Occupational Therapy Assistant Professor, and a former Faculty in Residence (FIR) (2018-2020) at University Housing Services at San José State University, together with a team of faculty researchers from the various fields of Occupational Therapy, Biology, Education, Political Science, Mathematics, Psychology,  and Public Administration published a qualitative phenomenological research study entitled “The Impact of Faculty-In-Residence Programs on Faculty Development” (https://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/vol20/iss3/06/). The research article was published in the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice.

As lead author, Dr. Arabit was thrilled and immensely proud of the team of faculty researchers who worked collaboratively and tirelessly on this project. He stated that “Research such as these showcases the relevance of university-based FIR programs and its impact not just on students but also on faculty development.” The results indicated that faculty participation in FIR programs helped facilitate faculty development in teaching, research and service performance, which in turn created opportunities for student engagement, student sense of belonging and student success. Beyond the positive results, transcending themes of diversity, empathy, networking and organization were uncovered, which enhanced FIR faculty professional development. In addition, the study also found that to achieve overall positive impact of FIR programs, program goals and objectives need to be aligned and agreed upon by university, residential life administrators, and faculty.

The research project received a grant of $12,000 from Project Succeed of SJSU in 2019 with the assistance of the late Dr. Patricia Backer. Congratulations to the collaborative effort of this interprofessional team of researchers!