Spring 2026 2-2 - Flipbook - Page 2
Letter from the Program Director
Greetings!
It’s hard to believe we have completed our fifth academic year in the MSOT program.
Over these five short years, our program has continued to evolve and grow in response to the
needs of our students and the communities they will serve through occupational therapy
practice. As our cohorts expand, we continue refining our curriculum and faculty assignments to
ensure we maintain the high-quality learning environment we proudly cultivate here at
St. Bonaventure University.
Thanks to the dedicated work of Dr. Suzanne Marasco, OT Department Chair, we have established
new articulation agreements with Canisius University and Houghton University. We have also
secured a partnership with the Scholars Network, creating an opportunity for our students to
enter into agreements with Penn Highlands Healthcare for employment placement following
graduation. After a three-year service commitment, eligible graduates may receive loan
forgiveness of up to $65,000. We remain committed to creating diverse opportunities
and pathways that support our students as they successfully enter the
occupational therapy profession.
This semester has been filled with growth and learning opportunities for both students and
faculty. Drs. Marasco, Kent, and Puglio accompanied three students to the 2026 AOTA INSPIRE
Conference in Anaheim, California. The three-day conference offered extensive evidence-based
learning opportunities, collaboration with vendors showcasing innovative products and
technologies, and valuable networking for fieldwork and employment opportunities across the
country. Our students also participated in exam preparation activities and prize opportunities,
with one student winning a fully paid NBCOT examination - savings of nearly $500.
We are also proud to celebrate the successful completion of the first year of our HRSA-funded
BRIGHT Project. BRIGHT Fellows gained valuable insight into integrated models of practice and
collaborated with clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) students through interdisciplinary
case-based learning experiences. The BRIGHT Project also hosted a continuing education
program for clinical educators focused on supporting the role of occupational therapy in
addressing the mental health needs of rural populations. As we prepare to begin the second year
of the BRIGHT Project on July 1, we are excited to welcome 15 new MSOT BRIGHT Fellows in the
upcoming academic year. In addition to Mental Health First Aid Certification, fellows will now
receive Crisis Prevention Intervention certification to further strengthen their
behavioral health skill set for clinical practice.
This year also marked St. Bonaventure University’s first graduate student commencement
ceremony, allowing our MSOT students and their peers from other graduate programs to
celebrate in a more intimate and focused setting. We were especially proud to watch six MSOT
students—the inaugural cohort of BRIGHT Fellows—walk across the stage and receive their
diplomas. Although they still have several weeks of clinical learning ahead, many have already
completed their NBCOT exam preparation courses and are preparing to begin
their careers as Bona OTs serving our region and beyond.
As we reflect on this five-year milestone, we have so much to celebrate and appreciate, and the
momentum continues to build. We look forward to welcoming another strong cohort of twenty or
more students for Fall 2026 and are excited to support the 28 students entering their final
didactic semester as they prepare for clinical learning experiences.
Thank you to our students’ families and friends, community partners, and SBU faculty and staff
for your continued support and dedication to student success. Your partnership plays an
essential role in strengthening and advancing our Occupational Therapy program.
Best regards, Darla J. Kent, OTD, MS, OTR/L Program Director,
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program
