OT students use SOTA for community outreach

Student engagement in community outreach programs is a valid approach to teaching OT’s core ethical standards of beneficence, social justice, and equity. It has been shown that college students who engage in voluntary community outreach programs may show more “empathic concern” and that overall, community service programs yield favorable effects (Meyer et al., 2019, p. 1172). OT and OTA students may have little time to engage in full-service learning outside of fieldwork, but a strong community outreach program can be developed by active participation in their Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA). Faculty advisors have an instrumental role in fostering such outreach. The move from faculty driven to student driven outreach events, drives and awareness, and prevention programs may be a tough one, depending on core qualities of initiation and motivation among students. Still, faculty advisors should suggest and discuss initiatives that can help guide students in choosing activities. These initiatives can be based on what was successful in the past or reflect a need in the community. New students in OT and OTA programs should be mentored by seasoned SOTA members and leaders, and more senior classes should be encouraged to guide and motivate newer students.