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 2024 Student Scholarship Winners!

Eva Anderson (she/her) is an Occupational Therapy Assistant student at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) with plans to graduate in Spring 2024. She served as the 2023 President of the GRCC Chapter of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) which enabled her to serve not only the organization and members, but also the local community through a variety of  outreach projects. In addition, she was able to initiate and lead her cohort to receive GRCC’s first ever award for 100% Academic Program MiOTA Membership at last year's MiOTA conference, where she volunteered as a Student Ambassador.

She hopes to center her OTA career in the pediatric field and has a special interest in finding creative ways to successfully help kids become as successful as possible as they live, learn, and play. Motivated by her experience and interest in mental healthcare, she has also developed a passion for promoting the integration of trauma-informed care practices into all her work, as a means to more effectively support every individual, even those who are not yet ready or able to openly acknowledge their experiences.

Eva would like to express to her immense gratitude for being awarded the 2024 OTA Student Scholarship and to encourage other students and new grads to get involved early and experience first-hand the welcoming educational and professional space that MiOTA is, regardless of specialty or experience. She can't wait to meet more MiOTA members at the next annual state conference!

Kallen Wolfer (she/her) is a second year OTD student at Western Michigan University- Grand Rapids. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science. During her gap year between her undergraduate and graduate program, she was a paraprofessional at Empower U, a transition school for adults aged 18-26 with developmental disabilities. During that time, she fostered a love and appreciation for her students and occupational therapy. She will be returning to Empower U for her Capstone Project and Experience, focusing on increasing student engagement in health promoting behaviors. She is currently undecided on what population/setting she would like to work with. Rather, she wants to explore the multitudinous opportunities OT has to offer during her level II fieldworks and as a new graduate.

Kallen was the event coordinator on her SOTA board and organized events that helped support the Grand Rapids community with her fellow OT students. She additionally was a MIOTA student ambassador at the 2024 MIOTA fall conference where she learned a great deal about our incredible profession. She immensely enjoyed returning to Mackinac Island for the conference where she used to be a Mackinac Island Honor Scout. When she is not in school, she can be found working as a barista at her hometown coffee shop, working as a student assistant for the WMU OT faculty, swimming and playing water polo, and most importantly, walking her 11 year old Corgi, Zeus. 

Kallen is deeply grateful and honored to be selected for this scholarship and looks forward to supporting MIOTA's endeavors in the future.