“Cedar Crest College’s OTD program was the only school I had interviewed with where I felt the faculty genuinely cared about me as an individual aside from a grade point average. Being part of the inaugural cohort, the culture and diversity that this program is founded on sets the tone for its successful future; it is simply like no other. The college itself makes me feel at home, and I couldn’t envision myself pursuing higher education anywhere else.”

Valerie Highley ’24

“The moment I finished my interview for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, I knew I wanted to pursue my graduate education at Cedar Crest. The faculty and staff made an impact on me right away. They care about each one of their students beyond the classroom, which has been meaningful to me as I moved over 1,000 miles away from home. I am also grateful for the community I have built with my peers, as we support each other through the good and bad days of graduate school. I am happy to be a part of the Cedar Crest OTD’s inaugural class!”

Daniela Enamorado ’24

“Cedar Crest was a hidden gem for me. I grew up in a big city, so somewhere smaller and calmer was just where I needed to be for graduate school. The faculty and students here are what really drew me in. I had the opportunity to interview for the OTD program and instantly fell in love with how the program was run, the student-teacher ratio, and the campus beauty. Cedar Crest is a home for women like me to excel and grow in an environment that allows me to express myself. The community here is very open, and I feel like I am able to ask anyone anything and they will be willing to help.”

Kawtar Latrech ’25

“I chose Cedar Crest College for my graduate program because, not only was it close to home, but it felt like another home. The community here makes it feel welcoming and a place that I can be me. What I like most about Cedar Crest is how small the class sizes are and how you can have more of a personal experience with the professors. For the Occupational Therapy program, I enjoy learning about a profession that is growing in the health care industry and how we can change the lives of others with simple tasks. The professors are down to earth, will support you in any way, and will help you strive to be the best you can be. The program has helped shape who I am and what I can do by bringing out the best of me.”

Jessica Badman ’24

“I chose Cedar Crest College because of its proximity to home and the diverse environment. My favorite things about Cedar Crest are the campus, the people, and the atmosphere. It does not feel like a competitive, envious, and strict learning environment but is open, welcoming, and inclusive. I love the professors in my program because of how invested they are in each of us. They have our best interests in mind and do not treat us like a number or as if our values and opinions do not matter. The OTD program has already helped me achieve professional goals as we start our second year. I am more confident, able to deal with conflicting values or opinions, and able to utilize different reasoning skills to problem solve. My anatomy teacher, Dr. Mirella Deisher, has been someone I look up to as she has piqued my interest in hand therapy and has guided me in a direction I think I will thoroughly enjoy. She has been available, welcoming, and enthusiastic about my journey, and I look forward to sharing my future experiences with her.”

Jah Page ’24