From a young age, Maci Wilson was drawn to careers that combined compassion, creativity and purpose — and occupational therapy’s (OT) client-centered approach sparked her interest in the field.
“I love that OT is all about helping people live meaningful lives,” Wilson said. “It allows for creativity in problem-solving while focusing on each person’s unique goals.”
Now a graduate student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Missouri State University, Wilson will complete the program this December.
While at Missouri State, she extended her learning beyond the classroom by leading community initiatives and participating in fieldwork.
These experiences deepened her understanding of care through real-world application and cultural engagement. They also shaped her approach to OT, emphasizing adaptability, cross-cultural awareness and experiential learning.
Building a strong foundation
Originally from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Wilson chose Missouri State for its strong career preparation, comprehensive OT curriculum and practical learning environment. She began her studies in fall 2023.
“The program helped me grow in many ways, academically and personally,” she said. “I’ve developed strong clinical thinking skills, learned to collaborate across professions and built confidence in how I support clients.”
One of her most influential mentors has been Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor of OT. Garrison’s mentorship and guidance positively impacted Wilson’s learning throughout the occupational therapy program.
“Dr. Garrison played a pivotal role in my development,” Wilson said. “She coordinated the opportunity for me to travel to Belize for my level I fieldwork.”
Wilson currently serves as president of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) for the 2024–25 academic year. She considers this experience as one of the most rewarding parts of her time at MSU.
Through community initiatives, peer mentorship and advocacy, she collaborated closely with the SOTA executive team to support and engage OT students.
“Working with the SOTA team has been the highlight of my leadership journey,” Wilson said. “Their creativity and dedication pushed me to grow as a communicator and collaborator. This experience helped me lead with confidence while supporting others in their journey.”
Engaging in global learning
From April 5-12, Wilson joined four classmates on a level I pediatric fieldwork rotation in Belize. In partnership with Therapy Volunteers International, the program allowed students to explore OT in a global and cross-cultural context.
They provided supervised occupational therapy services to children in the local special education school, outpatient pediatric clinic and developed activity plans for both school and clinic settings.
“Traveling to Belize deepened my understanding of how cultural, economic and systemic factors influence access to and delivery of care,” Wilson said.
“Observing therapy in a resource-limited setting challenged me to think creatively and reinforced the importance of adaptability, empathy and culturally responsive practice.”
Outside the clinic, the group stayed at the Tropical Education Center, which supports environmental education and conservation. This experience added valuable cultural immersion to the trip.
Advocating for others
Wilson will complete her final level II fieldwork rotations back in Oklahoma before graduation in December 2025.
Her long-term goal is to work in the adult setting, primarily neurorehabilitation while advocating for inclusive, person-centered care, where every individual is met with dignity, respect and compassion.
“I want to help people regain their independence, improve their quality of life and participate in activities that are important to them,” she said.
She notes the MSU OT program helped her connect classroom knowledge to real-world care.
“It showed me how to lead with purpose and support people through meaningful, personalized care,” Wilson said.
Wilson encourages aspiring OT students to be creative, collaborative and open to learning how to help others.
“Be ready to explain the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy — it’s a common question!”
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