Twenty-two students recently became the third cohort to graduate from the joint Occupational Therapy doctoral program between the U of A's College of Education and Health Professions and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ College of Health Professions.

The week before graduation, students delivered their doctoral capstone presentations at the Jones Center in Springdale, with families, friends and program faculty in attendance.

The capstone projects allow students to address health disparities or develop innovative occupational therapy practices by applying what they've learned in real-life situations to their chosen practice area. They are the students' final hurdle before earning a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

Supporting Hispanic caregivers, transportation equity, examining air travel for wheelchair users and OT's role in fashion design were just a few of the project topics explored.

Sadie Jones centered her capstone project on maternal confidence in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Jones spent many hours in the NICU for her project, watching firsthand how occupation-based education could help mothers navigate difficult situations.

"By advocating for their voices and offering meaningful support, I witnessed growing confidence as these mothers embraced their role in caring for their infants despite difficult circumstances," she said. "Knowing my work helped foster resilience and deepen the bond between mothers and their newborns was incredibly fulfilling and reinforced the importance of occupational therapy in transforming lives during such vulnerable moments."

Elizabeth Hight used her project "Life Skills for Autistic Young Adults" to help students in the university's growing EMPOWER program deal with life's challenges.

EMPOWER is a four-year non-degree-seeking program established in the College of Education and Health Professions in 2017. It incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social and leisure skills, and health and wellness skills to help young adults become self-sufficient.

"The most rewarding part of completing my capstone was working with the incredible staff, mentors and students at the EMPOWER program," Hight said. "I truly enjoyed engaging in conversations and learning from them; it was much more enjoyable than my usual routine of studying, reading and writing!"

Before walking across the commencement stage, the cohort participated in a hooding ceremony at the Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center. This annual tradition celebrates the group's academic achievements and symbolizes the passage from student to graduate.

The occupational therapy cohort was among 391 College of Education and Health Professions students who participated in this fall's commencement ceremony. The group included 292 undergraduate students, 58 master's and 41 doctoral students.

The OT doctoral program is the first joint clinical program between the U of A and UAMS. Together, the two universities are able to provide enhanced support and services for students.