Clubs & Organizations
Student Occupational Therapy Association | SOTA
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at Sacred Heart University is a student-run association. Membership is open to all first and second year students enrolled in the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy. SOTA engages in educational, social, service and fundraising activities and seeks to promote Occupational Therapy. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association through attendance at their annual conferences and by representation of a student delegate elected by the SOTA members. SOTA and the Pre-OT Club are advised by an occupational therapy program faculty member.
Pi Theta Epsilon
SHU's Pi Theta Epsilon Chapter is an honor society organized to recognize and encourage scholastic accomplishments of occupational therapy students.
Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
The Pre-Occupational Therapy Club is for undergraduate students who are considering a Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy. The club provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the profession and interact with the faculty and students from the SHU Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy and with practicing occupational therapists from the community. Students can gain valuable information about the interview and selection process, pre-requisites, and volunteer opportunities, as well as socialize and engage in service activities.
“The Pre-OT Club has been one of my favorite things that I have been a part of at Sacred Heart. It has created a close community of people that have the same goals and aspirations to be an Occupational Therapist. This club has provided me with many valuable experiences with other OTs. I have been able to work with OTs and gained so much knowledge from these opportunities. Everyone is very friendly and helps you throughout the year with classes or scheduling. We all are there to support each other whether it’s in or outside school. I’m very happy that SHU offers a club within my career choice!” -Lia Fluri Class of 2022
AOTA
AOTA is the profession’s association that advocates the enhancement of the profession of occupational therapy. The national office is maintained at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3449. All OT students become AOTA members in their first semester.
ConnOTA
Students are encouraged to join ConnOTA. Student membership in ConnOTA is $20 per year, which provides full member benefits as well as a discount on the annual conference rate. To join ConnOTA, contact them at 860-257-1371 or connota@snet.net.
Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity | COTAD
The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) chapter at Sacred Heart University is a student run organization that is open to first and second year students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. We organize events, network, partner, educate and share resources to address issues of systemic racism and oppression, occupational injustice, healthcare inequity and structures, policies and norms that perpetuate race-based advantage in health care, education and society at large. COTAD helps to create a world in which occupational therapy maximizes its potential to positively impact health, well-being and quality of life for all people.