May 3, 2018
Nibs – doing what she does best!
Nibs is enjoying visiting with students! She’s a trained therapy dog from University of Central Arkansas – Occupational Therapy and is here for finals stress relief.
April 6, 2018
Dr. Elizabeth LeQuieu – appointed by AOTA
Dr. Elizabeth LeQuieu has been appointed by the American Occupational Therapy Association to serve a 3-year term on the Experiential Learning Research Group. This group is tasked with researching the efficacy of the profession’s current level II fieldwork requirement. Dr. LeQuieu was chosen based on her record of academic research, record of scholarship of teaching and learning research, and experience with level II fieldwork. Congratulations!
March 29, 2018
Spring Break Shenanigans!
Spring Break Shenanigans! We could not be more proud of how these students spent their Spring Break! Whitney Harper, Katie Estes, & Talon Boyd volunteered at the 1st annual YouWannaGo camp for Immerse Arkansas. This camp served 40 families in the foster care system & those who have adopted children. It was held at Shepherd of the Ozarks and was full of outdoor activities such as horseback riding and hiking. It was a wonderful way for families to get away and recharge. As 3 of the 5 volunteers, OT students supported families during mealtimes & adult meeting times by keeping children, leading recreational activities, & having fun with all the families! This experience not only benefited the Immerse community, but allowed the OT students to see life from a different perspective & gave them the opportunity to love on people who needed to be shown they matter. Way to make us proud UCA OT!
March 9, 2018
Gettin’ Down for Down Syndrome Dance
First year OT students and pre-OT students had a blast at the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association’s (hero-themed) 13th annual Gettin’ Down for Down Syndrome Dance last Saturday. Students engaged attendees in fun crafts, games, coloring, dancing, and some of the best tattoos around! In addition, the students were able to meet Miss Arkansas, Maggie Benton, and tell her more about UCA OT! Proud of how these students represent UCA, the profession, and future servant leadership!
Students all decked out for the hero-themed dance
December 14, 2017
UCA offers pet therapy during finals
“Nibs”
“Nibs” from the Department of Occupational Therapy (who joined the department with her handler Dr. Tracey Zeiner in 2016) provides students some stress relief during finals week.
December 4, 2017
UCA Angel Tree
These OT students spread a little Christmas cheer this semester by collecting gifts for two children from the UCA Angel Tree. Students organized a collection for items that would meet the developmental needs and interests of each child. Very proud of this group! Thanks to all who donated items to help this family have a great holiday season!
November 17, 2017
PTE Collaborates with LEND
PTE collaborated with LEND on a service project and raised $400 to purchase 15 duffel bags and supplies! Last Tuesday, PTE got artsy and decorated the duffel bags and packed them with a teddy bear, blanket, coloring book, crayons, & hygiene kit. PTE & LEND will be donating the bags to kids in foster care in Faulkner County.
September 26, 2017
Imagine If Buildings Could Talk: OT provides accessibility features in commemorating the Little Rock Nine event
In a collaboration with the College of Fine Arts and Communication, faculty and students from the Department of Occupational Therapy served as accessibility coordinators and assistants for the event Imagine if Buildings Could Talk, to ensure inclusiveness for all.
October 23, 2017
ACTs Presents: A Family Feud of Olympic Proportions
For a good laugh at a family friendly show, come on out to Reynolds Performance Hall on November 1st to cheer on this comedy about the Olympics.
October 7, 2017
Students and Faculty participate in Amigo Fest
OT enjoyed participating in Amigo Fest today! Students discussed OT’s role in stress management and offered various activities, including adult coloring, bag toss, exercise activities (resistance bands/body boards), stress balls/fidget toys, and a stress survey!
OT students L-R: Sam Griffith, Danielle Smith, Kyle Jones and Ethan Cavanaugh
August 25, 2017
Congratulations Dr. Jennifer Moore!
Dr. Jennifer Moore has been invited to serve on the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators for the American Occupational Therapy Association for 2018-2021 term.
August 21, 2017
Neighborhood Block Party at Camp Aldersgate
On Saturday August 19, 2017, 7 energetic occupational therapy students and 1 pre-occupational therapy student joined Mrs. Saviers at the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association’s 3rd annual Neighborhood Block Party at Camp Aldersgate. The students actively engaged approximately 150 kids, adults, families, and community members in a variety of games, selfies, face painting, bubbles, coloring, merry-go-round rides, and snow cones! Way to represent OT and UCA!
June 23, 2017
OT Faculty and Students volunteer through UCA Bears for CARE Program
OT faculty, Mrs. Brittany Saviers and Dr. LaVona Traywick, along with OT student volunteers hosted the third respite care event through the UCA Bears for CARE program! Ms. Amanda Beaver, clinical instructor in Nursing volunteered as the nurse 
for the day. Children in attendance had a fun time playing outdoor and indoor games, seeing a show at the Griffin Planetarium, and working on craft projects. UCA Bears for CARE strives to provide a time of leisure for special needs families and a time of excitement and fun for children with special health care needs and their siblings.
June 2, 2017
Acting Creates Therapeutic Success (in the Rock) performs at the Argenta Community Theater
ACTS in the Rock presents – AEDD Tours: Destinations of Your Dreams! Our students, faculty, and staff worked with performers from Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled. Volunteers: Morganne Gillespie, Scarlett Warren, Mallory Halverson, Kyle Jones, Andree Muldoon, and Lynn Baker. AEDD Tours is taking a group of eager summer vacationers to enjoy the sunny state of Florida! The tour guide promises a variety of activities from surfing the beautiful waters off Destin beach, catching a roller coaster at Disney World, hunting the elusive giant alligator, and fulfilling the fantasy of playing basketball for the Miami Heat. Tourists reach their destinations by traveling on a beautiful bus equipped with its own DJ keeping the passengers in a festive mood! Who would dream of missing this trip? Directors: Jennifer Moore and Brittany Saviers.
May 1, 2017
Juvenile Drug Court
The Log Cabin Democrat posted an [Online] article about Judge Braswell and the Faulkner County Juvenile Drug Court. They quote him sharing about the Court and all of the resources. He made very positive remarks about the UCA OT Mentoring Program!
April 15, 2017
Easter Celebration at Salem Place
What better way to end the week than with an Easter Celebration! Students helped make the annual celebration at Salem Place Nursing and Rehabilitation a huge success for the residents and guests! The OT Dept. is grateful for Salem Place’s continued collaboration for our students’ education.
April 11, 2017
Dr. LaVona Traywick among Colleagues
Drs. Ed Rosenberg (Director of graduate studies, Appalachian State University), Graham Rowles (Graduate Center for Gerontology, University of Kentucky) LaVona Traywick (Assistant Professor–OT Dept UCA), Jim Mitchell (Director of center for diversity and inequality research, East Carolina University) and Lorin Baumhover (retired director of the Center for aging and professor of behavioral sciences at University of Alabama, current interim provost for Appalacian State University)
March 30, 2017
UCA OT Students Recognized at Conference
UCA OT Students recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee at the AOTA national conference for their contributions during their advocacy project completed in the fall semester Professional Foundations Course!
March 21,2017
CRAZY SOCKS for World Down Syndrome Day!
UCA OT students, faculty, and staff, along with President Davis rocked 48 pairs of CRAZY SOCKS to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st! A quick sock game outdoors was full of laughter for all! We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating inclusion and what makes everyone unique…are you rocking your socks today?! #WDSD17 #LotsOfSocks
March 20,2017
Celebrating Dr. Seuss Month
Students (L-R): Brooke Jernigan, Laiken Wilbanks, Brady McCombs, with faculty Mrs. Brittany Saviers, Mrs. Tracey Zeiner and Nibs!
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” OT faculty and students helped All Children’s Therapy celebrate Dr. Seuss month! Mrs. Saviers, Mrs. Zeiner, Nibs, and OT students Brooke Jernigan, Laiken Wilbanks, and Brady McCombs led the kids at All Children’s Therapy in a Dr. Seuss craft and reading “Hop on Pop” and “Go Dog Go” to Nibs. Nibs even showed off a few of her tricks! The kids at All Children’s Therapy were a great audience and we enjoyed sharing about service animals and promoting literacy through Dr. Seuss!
March 8, 2017
“Gettin’ Down for Down Syndrome”
Thirteen OT students were “gettin’ down” on Saturday when they volunteered their time at the annual “Gettin’ Down for Down Syndrome” Dance hosted by the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association. With a western theme, the students ensured all adults and children had a fun time by engaging them in crafts, games, tattoo art, a selfie station, and of course lots of dancing! Way to go OT – you make us proud with your service and fun-loving spirit!