The MiOTA annual student scholarship ($1,000) is awarded to two students on an annual basis, one OT student and one OTA student. In order to be considered for this scholarship, the applicant must exhibit leadership qualities and demonstrate a commitment to the profession.

Students must meet the following criteria:

Congratulations to our 2023 Student Scholarship Winners!

Shanmin Sultana (she/her) is a first year occupational therapy student at Wayne State University (WSU). She serves as her program's Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) PY1 co-chair and Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) PY1 AOTA representative. She is also a student volunteer for the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) where she designs research briefs to simplify occupational therapy research and help make research more accessible. She hopes to specialize in pediatrics and eventually teach at the graduate level.

Sydney VandenHout  (she/her) is a first-year student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Grand Rapids Community College.  Sydney is engaged in her community by working with infants and toddlers, specifically focusing on their education, play, and fine/gross motor skills. She has been a teacher’s aide and caregiver for more than 6 years, investing most of her time with this age group.  Sydney’s career aspirations are working in pediatrics, either in hospital or school settings. She looks forward to learning and growing with her fellow students, as she continues schooling and soon fieldwork opportunities.