Get to know our OT students ambassadors!
Feel free to reach out to any of our OT student ambassadors by clicking on their names in red. They are all happy to answer your questions and share why they chose DU OT!
Meet Rachel DeStefano
Hi, my name is Rachel%20DeStefano. I am a 5th year occupational therapy student from New Castle, PA. I plan to continue
to pursue my doctorate in occupational therapy at Duquesne University. I came to know
occupational therapy through my grandfather’s journey with Dementia and he is my inspiration
to continue working with the geriatric population when I graduate. In addition to
my role as a student ambassador, I have been involved in many clubs on campus including
Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Journal Club, Gamma Sigma Sigma (GSS),
the Student Advisory Council, Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE) and I am a peer mentor for students
on campus with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. My role as a student
ambassador is extremely important to me as the cohorts above me were some of my biggest
supporters and role models; therefore, I enjoy helping other students learn more about
the Duquesne Occupational Therapy Program and help them to feel included in the DU
OT family.
Meet Lauren Rose
Hello! My name is Lauren%20Rose, and I am a 4th year OT student. I am from Wheeling, WV, and I have a bachelor’s
in Exercise Science from Waynesburg University. I enjoy being outdoors, spending time
with friends and family, and I have a passion for creativity. I hope to bring my love
for creativity into the field of Occupational Therapy to help inspire and encourage
others. What I enjoy most about Duquesne’s Occupational Therapy program is the opportunity
to learn and grow with other students through a variety of learning experiences that
the program offers.
Meet Jessica Ashton
Hello! My name is Jessica%20Ashton, and I am a 3rd year OT student. I am also completing the Assistive Technology minor.
I work for the department giving tours and doing administrative work, so you might
see me in Rangos! On campus I'm involved in Best Buddies, SOTA, and COTAD. My favorite
occupations include spending time with friends and family, travelling, and visiting
new coffee shops! I knew I loved the DUOT program from my first visit because of how
welcoming and encouraging our professors are, and that is still my favorite part of
the program!
Meet Nathan Pearson
My name is Nathan%20Pearson, I am a 4th year student in the Duquesne Occupational Therapy Program. I am also
in the Assistive Technology minor here at Duquesne. I am from just outside of the
city in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Some of my favorite occupations are hiking,
gardening, and spending time with friends and family! Presently, I am the President
of COTAD – the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity at Duquesne
University.
Meet Erica Glaneman
Hello, I am Erica%20Glaneman, and I am a 5th year OT student at Duquesne from Eighty Four, PA. I am in Duquesne’s
entry-level OTD program and will be graduating in December 2023 with my OTD degree.
I became interested in OT after working with students who have intellectual and developmental
disabilities (IDD) throughout middle and high school. I continue to pursue this passion
at Duquesne by working as a peer mentor in the pilot Compass program for students
with IDD to pursue higher education. In addition, I also serve as a research apprentice
to Dr. Meghan Blaskowitz in the OT department and assist her with research related
to the Compass program. I have co-presented this research at AOTA Inspire, 2020 in
San Antonio, TX. In addition to these roles, I am a member of the Honors college at
Duquesne and enjoy volunteering with an adaptive colorguard group, the South Hills
Stars. I enjoy serving the OT department as a Student Ambassador so that I can provide
guidance and encouragement to younger students as they begin their college and OT
journeys.
Meet Hannah Clark
My name is Hannah%20Clark, and I am an occupational therapy student in the Class of 2025. Along with my occupational
therapy degree, I am also pursuing an assistive technology minor. My interests in
the OT field includes going into the foster system, occupational justice, and psychiatric
fields with adolescents (including eating disorders, mental health, etc.). I also
work in the Occupational Therapy Department giving tours and helping with administration
work, and outside the department I am the president of the Duquesne Ballroom Association.
Meet Brooke Foundas
Hi there! My name is Brooke%20Foundas, and I’m a 4th year OT student who transferred into the program Spring 2022. I’m
originally from Frederick, MD, and got my bachelor’s degree in exercise science with
a minor in adult disability from Towson University. When I’m not spending my time
learning about OT, some of my favorite activities include indoor cycling, crocheting,
hiking, and being a plant mom. What I love about Duquesne University is that it’s
right by downtown Pittsburgh, so my friends and I get to explore the city after learning
all about OT!
Meet Ivan Del Toro
Hello, my name is Iv%C3%A1n%20Andr%C3%A9s%20Del%20Toro%20Hern%C3%A1ndez, and I am a transfer student and 2nd year student in the Occupational Therapy program.
I am from Puerto Rico and spent my first year in college over there studying nursing
where I realized after watching OTs work that I needed to do this to help people recover,
not only physically, but mentally as well. As a transfer student from so far away
I can definitely understand how big of a decision this is, but once I made it and
arrived here, I knew that it was the right one and every step of the way I have been
encouraged and supported in every way possible. Other than OT I have a passion for
counseling, specifically career and grief counseling. I work as a pharmacy technician,
and I really enjoy Pittsburgh and have even come to consider it home. On campus I’m
involved in the ASL club, Gamma Phi fraternity, and minorities in philosophy club
as I am a philosophy minor. I hope to meet some of you someday and help you with anything
you might need!
Meet Rachel Alexander
Hi! My name is Rachel%20Alexander, and I am a 1st year OT student. I am from Akron, Ohio, which is about two hours
from campus! My claim to fame is that I am a triplet (I have two brothers) and a younger
sister. During my short time living in Pittsburgh, I have discovered the Milkshake
Factory, shopping and food at the Strip District, and lots of great places to walk
to in the city! My experience here at Duquesne has been amazing as I have made so
many great friends, fallen in love with the campus, and am learning so much from my
professors. I am so excited to continue in the OT program and can't wait to start
helping people someday soon!
Meet Isabella Bien
My name is Isabella%20Bien, and I am a 3rd year occupational therapy major with a psychology minor. I am involved
in a variety of other clubs and associations on campus such as Greek life, Orientation,
Best Buddies, OT-related clubs, and campus ministry. I am also a camp counselor for
kids ages 8-16 over the summer and work at a Pittsburgh hospital during the semester
terms. I have been pursuing my interests in occupational therapy as early as my sophomore
year of high school and have been extremely fortunate in continuing this passion for
my future career with Duquesne University. My favorite aspect about the occupational
therapy profession is how client-centered and holistic it is. Its values ring true
in many aspects of life, not just in the healthcare setting. Furthermore, with my
own firsthand experience as an occupational therapy client and with the exposure I
have already witnessed in the field, I can attest to how amazing the effects of occupational
therapy really are. I am looking forward to gaining more leadership skills, forming
meaningful relationships, advocating, and educating about the Duquesne Occupational
Therapy Program as a student ambassador!
Meet Shannon Russell
Hello! My name is Shannon%20Russell, and I’m a 4th year Occupational Therapy student in the DU OT program. I currently
serve as the co-president to the Duquesne Student Occupational Therapy Association
(SOTA). I am also involved with the Duquesne Compass Program, promoting inclusive
education through mentorship for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD). I’m from Clinton, New Jersey, and some of my passions include drawing and painting,
baking for others, kayaking and going to concerts. I was drawn to Duquesne’s OT program
after visiting and meeting the faculty, where I quickly realized that they truly care
about each student and foster an environment for growth and success - long story short,
it felt like home!
Meet Johnna Estep
My name is Johnna%20Estep, and I am in the Occupational Therapy program’s class of 2025! I am also currently
studying with a minor in special education since I hope to work in pediatrics following
my degree, specifically an elementary school setting! At Duquesne, I am a member of
the Health Professions Society as well as on the board of Students for Autism Awareness.
Outside of academia related clubs, I am involved in the Duquesne Club Dance Team.
Meet Reagan Ruddock
My name is Reagan%20Ruddock; I graduated this past May from West Allegheny high school not far from here. I was
a competitive cheerleader for about 7 years! I love music, watching movies, and spending
time with friends and family. So far, I really enjoy Duquesne and the friends I've
made. I also am very excited about continuing through the OT program and all the way
to my professional phase!
Meet Lauren Beck
My name is Lauren%20Beck, and I am a 2nd year student at Duquesne University. I am from Maryland and am majoring
in Occupational Therapy and minoring in Assistive Technology. Here at Duquesne, I
am a part of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Journal Club, Best
Buddies, and Delight Ministries. In my free time, I enjoy going to spin classes, reading,
and spending time with my family and friends. I am excited to continue learning about
Occupational Therapy and look forward to helping people in my future profession!
Meet Julie Downs
Hi! My name is Julie%20Downs, and I am a 5th year occupational therapy student and will be pursuing my doctorate
in occupational therapy. I am from Harrison City, PA, and came to Duquesne as a transfer
student after receiving my Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Seton Hill
University in 2020. I was drawn to OT because I love its holistic approach that treats
a person’s mind, body, and soul. The Duquesne curriculum has helped me explore so
many facets of OT and I have fallen in love with adaptive and assistive technology
which I hope to continue with following graduation. The DU OT program is also amazing
because of its many options for campus involvement. I am a part of the Student Occupational
Therapy Association (SOTA), Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE), and the Coalition of Occupational
Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). Being a student ambassador means the world
to me as I get to help those interested in entering the amazing and rewarding career
of occupational therapy.
Meet Kelly Gregoire
Hi, my name is Kelly%20Gregoire, and I am from Buffalo, New York. I am a 2nd year occupational therapy student, as
well as a music minor. I am involved in many organizations on campus including Student
Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), a health science fraternity called Pi Kappa
Epsilon, and a community service organization called Circle K. I also participate
in many music related groups, including the wind ensemble and flute choir. I chose
to be an occupational therapy major because I love helping others reach their individual
goals. In the future, I desire to be a pediatric occupational therapist. I love Duquesne
due to all the amazing friendships and endless activities the city of Pittsburgh has.