Students are actively encouraged to get involved with professional student activities as they progress through the curriculum. On campus, the OT Department has two student organizations: Ithaca College Student Occupational Therapy Association (ICSOTA) and Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE). See the descriptions below.

We also encourage students to join the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in the student section. The annual fee provides publications and web access for networking with students in other colleges and universities. AOTA also provides information on scholarships available to OT students. AOTA sponsors two major national conferences each year. Each state has an OT organization focused on enhancing the profession and acting as primary advocates in the state for legislation, reimbursement, and clinical regulations. These state associations provide opportunities for networking, often provide scholarships for students, and sponsor statewide/regional conferences for lifelong learning.

ICSOTA
ICSOTA is a formally recognized club at IC. Club activities are open to all OT majors and others interested in occupational therapy. Its mission is to serve the OT Department, Ithaca College, and the community. The elected officers include president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, historian, and representatives from each academic class. This executive board meets with the club's faculty advisor to plan the club's activities. Typically, the club organizes both social and educational experiences. It meets about once a month. Committees work on tasks such as volunteer activities, fund raising, and public relations. The club also elects the ASCOTA representative. This is our OT representative at the student meetings during the AOTA National Conference.

The photo shows Scott McNeil, Jennifer Igthaler, and Marissa Brown enjoying a dance with elders at a local senior housing complex.

PTE: Beta Phi Chapter
The Occupational Therapy Department is proud to have a chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) here at Ithaca College. PTE is the national honor society for Occupational Therapy. The purpose of the society is: to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence in occupational therapy students; to contribute to the advancement of the field of occupational therapy through scholarly activities; and to provide a vehicle for professional entry-level students enrolled in accredited programs in occupational therapy to exchange information and to collaborate regarding scholarly activities.

At Ithaca College, the Beta Phi Chapter of PTE is open to junior, senior and graduate students whose GPA is at least 3.5 and who are in the top 20% of their class.

The photo shows Beta Phi chapter president Deb Ferris congratulating junior Andrew Folmar with Department Chair, Catherine Gordon, and other officers (Alyson Pasquale, Diane Barras, and Karen Gibson) in attendance at the induction.