Kayla Michel, ’20

I will be continuing my education at Widener University as a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy student. I will be graduating with the Class of 2024 and plan on practicing in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania in underserved communities. Widener offers a probono clinic for the Chester community where I plan to serve as a student.

Over the past four years at SJU I was able to build connections through the resources around me. I was able to shadow an Occupational Therapist at Lankenau hospital through the weekly service program and even lead as a Service Coordinator so others can volunteer within the community. Building connections while in school was a major part of my success in my professional growth.

SJU impacted my professional goals of working with and for others through service-learning programs, weekly service, WIP, PSIP, and the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. This exposure showed me the need and personal responsibility to dedicate my life to serving with and for others as a Christian.

While I was at SJU I participated in many experiential learning activities. I was able to work on the University Student Senate as the School of Health Studies and Education Chair, I attended El Paso, Texas with the Winter Immersion Program, I participated in Weekly Service, service-learning, and the faith-justice studies minor. I was also able to spend a summer abroad in Greece learning about the economic and social disparities the country faces. In my final semester at SJU, I was able to participate in the Inside-Out Program as well as Fieldwork for Clinical Bioethics.

Widener University