The College of St. Scholastica Occupational Therapy Program

OT Student Spotlight! Meet second year student Jennifer Riley!

Tomorrow's the big day! 4:00-6:00 in the Health Science Center

The week is here! Visit go.css.edu/grad for more information!

Our second year cohort celebrated after one of their last classes altogether this week! After this, they will all go on to their fieldwork rotations before they graduate in May!

A note from Dr. Onori:

Dancing and Lessons on Leadership
It was a joy to celebrate with our second-year students by having a dance party before they embark on their first Level II Fieldwork. The celebration was part of Transformative Engagement, a challenging course that requires students to cultivate their leadership and advocacy skills. Of course, once the music started, students were hesitant to begin dancing, so I told our student DJ, Will, that I would dance if he played my song. So, as promised, I danced with unbridled joy!

Was I feeling self-conscious? Yes!

But after one of my students, Abby, commented that this reminded her of our lessons on followership, I began to reflect on how my willingness to be vulnerable and be the first dancer was related to our lessons on leadership development, specifically the 5 pillars of the Exemplary Leadership Model – 1) Model the Way, 2) Inspire a Shared Vision, 3) Enable Others to Act, 4) Challenge the Process, and 5) Encourage the Heart.

As a professor, through dancing, I was able to demonstrate leadership for my students by

“Modeling the Way” – setting an example of being bold, taking risks, finding my voice, and following through on my promise in the face of discomfort.

“Inspiring a Shared Vision” – engaging others in our shared aspirations of “doing, being, becoming, and belonging” in the world.

“Challenging the Process” – seizing an opportunity and taking the initiative to create innovative learning experiences that are unconventional yet impactful. How often have you seen a professor dancing with their students in class?

“Enabling Others to Act” – developing students’ self-determination via vicarious experiences, mastery experiences, encouragement, and positive emotional states in a psychologically safe space.

“ Encouraging the Heart” – recognizing and appreciating individual contributions while cultivating community spirit through celebratory dancing.

Was being vulnerable and taking the risk worth it? Absolutely!

Was it just a party with dancing or was it more? For my students and others…I encourage you to reflect on this and similar experiences and hope you have the insight to see beyond the dancing. And when you feel disillusioned or defeated, remember the wise words of Winnie the Pooh,

You are BRAVER than you believe,
STRONGER than you seem,
SMARTER than you think, and
LOVED more than you know.

Be bold!
When you face a setback, search for the blessing in disguise!
Savor beauty and joy!
Above all, love others!

Kindly,
Dr. Nicole Onori

Save the Date! Thursday, July 30 from 4:00-6:00 pm.

OT Student Spotlight! Meet second year student Abby Munns!

OT Student Spotlight! Meet second year student Emma Johnson!

OT Student Spotlight! Meet second year student Ana Christofferson!