Interview with Midwestern University COTAD Chapter: Rocio, Gabby, and Dr. Robinson

Hello readers! This month I had the opportunity to speak with the members of the Midwestern University COTAD chapter. Gabriela Carmona, Rocio Torres, and Dr. Monika Robinson, DrOT, OTR/L shared their insights on what it means to be a part of COTAD and what others can do to contribute to their cause of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Samantha:

So, to start off this interview, I want to ask you all in your own words, I would like you just to talk about what COTAD is.

Gabby:

So, COTAD is an organization, it's actually a national organization that's dedicated to address DEI, topics like diversity, equity and inclusion. And it's done so by a variety of different ways and forms within each university.

Rocio:

It's definitely a way to promote occupational justice, to integrate more people of color, educate them what occupational therapy is. It’s also educating our classmates about occupational injustices.

Gabby:  

Yeah, it's definitely been an avenue to advocate for certain topics that are typically not addressed during traditional curriculum.

Dr. Robinson:

So, from a faculty perspective, COTAD is a national organization and has the COTAD student chapters, which is of course what Gabriella and Rocio are here to talk about, and COTAD as an organization also looks at even COTAD Ed, which is designed for people like myself, other faculty who are interested in how we make this more inclusive within the educational curriculum. So, there are different facets, and then there's also a mentoring program.

Samantha: 

It sounds like there is a lot of focus on just education about inclusivity and diversity. That’s great. How do you see COTA and OT aligning with each other?

Rocio: 

Definitely integrating things that are meaningful to us. And then, we're also promoting occupational therapy because I definitely didn't even know what it was. And just focusing on that, in general.  So, I feel even educating what we're doing and what the health perspective is like, it would help people understand what we're doing, and you can help them think if this is something people would like to do.

Dr. Robinson:

So, I think from the efforts of what we've done here, at Midwestern the COTAD cochairs, I think have done a really great job of trying to conquer a number of different goals, which focused on outreach, looking at curriculum, and looking at the JEDI efforts. I think the students are really running this and leading this. And so, when I say “we,” I really mean the students, they have also tried to come up with really creative ways to support people just to increase their awareness of the importance of diversity.

Do you want to talk about some of the projects that you've been doing?

Gabby:  

Well, the most recent one we're working on is the creating a language workshop. And providing students with a sheet that they can take to fieldwork that can help them communicate with Spanish speaking patients.

Rocio: 

Yeah, so we were what we were doing is helping our classmates, for example, communicate with Spanish speaking patients or clients and so we're adding things like typical questions on an occupational profile, I'm just translating into it into Spanish. And then, what I did was, put possible responses to like the typical responses that way, they're not just asking these questions. And then, when they're talking, they’re not asking themselves “where do I go from here?”

Gabby:  

We've also implemented a feedback box in each classroom, where, if there's any issues that the students would like to report that have to deal with like DEI, then they'll write it on the note, and faculty, and we will meet and discuss these issues and figure out ways to kind of address them. So, for example, we recently went to a DEI session last week that addressed anti racism, to I guess, bring awareness to those topics to the rest of the students, with the help of faculty who found speakers within these topics.

Rocio:   

And the reason why these DEI sessions were started was because there was just some cultural insensitivities that happened within cohorts. So, we understand that not everybody came from very diverse communities. There was just that understanding from our part that they didn't have that awareness or education like we did. These DEI sessions were supposed to talk about these issues and about microaggressions. So, people have more understanding why we feel uncomfortable when they say certain things.

Dr. Robinson:

So, I think in large part, what Rocio and Gabriella are talking about are two things, which is, one  ,preparing the students as practitioners to be more culturally sensitive by understanding the importance of language and ways to interact, that can only enhance therapeutic relationships, right? And then the second is ways in which within the curriculum as a class, how to raise that awareness for individuals who come from different backgrounds. I think the other thing that the COTAD student chapters have worked on as an activity is trying to be more explicit, but about infusing more diversity within the curriculum. An example is that they have offered graphics and illustrations of different skin color tones to be incorporated in the lectures.

And then also trying to become part of or increase the awareness of cultural differences within certain specific courses that have that opportunity do that. And they've had conversations with certain faculty where those courses could incorporate more of that. And now some of those changes have happened. So those are some of the things that are direct actions that the COTAD student chapters have done.

Samantha:

What has been the reception to these projects so far?

Rocio:

I know people were very into the feedback boxes because it was anonymous, too. So, they were able to put their own thoughts without having to speak out in front of any of us, or even the faculty. I think that was more of a safe environment for them.

So I know, we had one talk with the faculty, I think last quarter about some of these issues. And a lot of them did participate and give them give their own thoughts too.

Gabby: 

Yeah, I think I've heard people’s comments mention a variety of different things such as how a lot of these initiatives and activities are needed. As Rocio mentioned, the feedback boxes have made students feel more comfortable knowing that there are people are taking this initiative to make these changes that will hopefully snowball and the next COTAD co-chairs will add to it or even improve upon these projects.

Samantha:

Okay, that sounds great. So what kind of events and projects are you planning on doing in the future?

Rocio:

We hope to continue working with Girls 4 Science. We really liked working with them, I know some of the girls actually reached out to us. I know that Gabby is still communicating with them. Some girls did reach out to Gabby asking more about what occupational therapy is because we sparked some interest within this profession, for some of those girls.

Gabby:

Just a little background info, Girls 4 Science is a group of, I want to say, preteen to teen middle schoolers girls who are interested in STEM. And we volunteered and conducted a presentation on mental health one Saturday, we came up with some activities. We presented brief information. And there was one student who reached out and was interested in occupational therapy. And I've emailed with her back and forth. And with this idea, Dr. Robinson hopes to establish like a pipeline mentoring relationship with girls within that age to mentor them or help them to be in our position. And hopefully, we can help with any barriers that they might face, and help them succeed, to be well to be where we are.

Dr. Robinson: 

And to be clear, this isn't specific to Midwestern University, it's really, the goal is to increase the awareness and outreach to younger, underrepresented students about OT as a profession. So, it's really promoting OT as a profession.

Samantha:  

It's great to hear that you guys are reaching out to other organizations and spreading the word of what OT is. So hopefully, in the future, we won't have to keep explaining it to people.  

But yeah, I want to talk a little bit about involvement with you guys. So how can others get involved with COTAD, especially if they feel like they don't have a lot of time to dedicate to joining the chapter?

Gabby: 

I would say reaching out to the co-chairs and asking for any assistance within the future events. I'm sure there, there's something that they can do. Oh, actually, we've sent out a survey asking the asking her cohort if they speak any other languages, and with that, they volunteer to help also create that that sheet saw she we were talking about earlier, and they're willing to take the time to translate that as well. And I mean, that's participating in the COTAD project.

Rocio:

We also had the paint and sip. I know some people in our class really like that too. And some of them weren't even in the COTAD, but they still like join in for the activity. We did the paint and sip to help this organization to help black girls receive mental health therapy.

Samantha: 

So, my next question is just what are your goals for COTAD next year?

Rocio:

So, we're going to have to transition out soon and give this up to the next group. But I’m sure someone would be involved and can help them and support them with anything they need, or some provide guidance. We can still be part of COTAD we just won't be co-chairs. I also plan on attending their meetings or events and being available if they need me for anything.

Dr. Robinson:  

So, to clarify, Samantha, you're reaching us just as they're winding down, because every year there's a new cohort that comes in and because your cohort is going out to field work, there's really not a lot that cohort gets involved in and then you only come back for three weeks and then you go back out. So that's why the transition of COTAD as co-chairs occurs every year. And so, they're reaching the end of their year. And they'll be transitioning the new group in.

Samantha:

I understand. What have you guys been doing to help with the transition? The new cohort is coming in, have you gauge interest for who might be interested in COTAD?

Rocio:

That's our next possible step actually. But like, obviously we're going to integrate some things in like, helping them, guiding them, and educating them on the things we did already. And what worked and what didn't.

Gabby:

Yeah, so I know that their students and incoming students fill out an interest survey, kind of like what we did in the beginning. And from what I've heard, there's a few that are interested in these topics. So, we're hoping that when it's our time to recruit students, where we're really presenting our message and what we did, and what they can do, and the changes that they can, they can make with these, these projects and with the help of the faculty.

Dr. Robinson:  

So, the official kickoff is at orientation for the new cohort. And that's when they'll introduce COTAD as a committee, and then probably talk about some of the things they've done and what kind of goals there are, and then COTAD, the national organization for the student chapters has a process that they actually have a person that helps with the transition.

Samantha: 

Okay, so as you guys are winding down, I want I would like to know, what is the project that you are the proudest of?

Rocio:

Bringing awareness of topics like microaggressions that are happening in our classroom and with coworkers. Usually when these things happen, it was like, “We don't  talk about it.” I know, some of our classmates are uncomfortable speaking out against ignorance. I thought that it'd be important to bring these issues up.

Because it'd be good for other people to know about these racial topics, it’s just really important for everybody to learn about these things.

Gabby:

Yeah, I agree. And I think it just helps too that we have a faculty who are there to support us. And when we bring up these issues, they're ready to help and find resources for us. And it's not like this information is getting unnoticed. Like it's doing something.

Rocio:  

Yeah. Because I remember attending some of these COTAD meetings. I know some COTAD groups, they were seeking out for advice on how to integrate, more of their classmates to join their activities. And then, I was finding out that a lot of these groups, they have to fund their own things. And they're not really getting the support of the other professors. So, I'm really glad that we have the staff here and the faculty supporting us and being very proactive.

Dr. Robinson:   

So, Rocio you're talking about the other COTAD chapters of other schools right to the COTAD connections meetings that you've learned about, is that right?

Rocio:

Yes.

Samantha:

I know that you already spoke about this when you were when you talked about reaching Girls 4 Science. Do you guys have any other plans to collaborate with other organizations in the future?

Rocio:

Lewis University wanted to collaborate with the Disability Pride Parade. And then they were trying to come with us. And then it was until the last minute someone got COVID on their team so that they couldn't come anymore, but they're so interested in collaborating with us with future projects.

Dr. Robinson:

So, we did attend, just this past Saturday, a group of us for the Disability Pride Parade to show the inclusivity of people who identify with disabilities. And that was a recent event, we did that in conjunction with SOTA, representing Midwestern University. I think the other thing to mention is that we started the efforts for doing outreach to schools, to CPS to the Noble schools, targeting schools that have largely underrepresented students. So, when we talk about promoting the profession, we're not talking about it just to the general public, we're talking about it with a specific intention of trying to recruit more diverse potential practitioners, students. We tried to organize something within the school year to attend a career day or what have you. So, we can kind of get that information out to the schools.

Samantha:

Okay, great. So, for my final question, I just, I know that we're having a new cohort of OT students coming in soon, and no doubt this is going to be the same for a lot of other ot programs in the area, what would you like to say to the incoming students about being involved during grad school.

Gabby:

I know that it might sound like it's really time consuming. And that might, that alone might be intimidating to join the organization, but you really can. You can put in how much you want to so you're not really forced to do 100 different projects, at the same time, it's at your own pace, and you have faculty support to help you with certain projects. So, I think it's definitely manageable to be in this organization, if you're willing to put in the time, and if you're really passionate about these topics, and wanting to advocate.  

Rocio:

It's good and rewarding work, too. It's a lot that we're doing both in the school and the community. And to others like, immigrant groups, or people of color, or people with disabilities too. We're pretty much reaching out to a lot of people about these things. So I'm pretty proud of the stuff we're doing.

Dr. Robinson:

I'd like to mention that one of the intentions of having four co-chairs, is to kind of divide and conquer, right? So, it's not falling all on one person's shoulder. So, everybody kind of had their own thing that they worked on. And they worked on it when they could and other people picked up when they couldn't, you know, so I think it's been such a great opportunity to work all at with all the student co-chairs. They've worked really well together. And they've showed some creative projects. But I think what I've seen is that because they were able to work together, I think it made it more manageable, as opposed to just one person doing it, would you agree?

Rocio:

Oh, for sure, it really helped that everybody in our group is very proactive and very passionate about these things. So, it wasn't anything overwhelming or anything we didn't want to do.

Gabby:

Now, it was easy to get along with everybody just because we all have the same, same passion for this. And so, we were all just excited to talk about future projects. And it was it was easy to form a relationship with our other members.

Samantha:

I'm glad to hear that you guys have such had such a great experience with COTAD. It's also great to hear about all the projects and how you're looking forward to introducing the new cohort to this organization. I think that covers the questions that I want to ask you but before we sign off, I want to ask if you guys have anything else that you want to say maybe something that you want to add to a previous question that you can that you didn't get the chance to.

Dr. Robinson:

I'm grateful for the work and the efforts of COTAD and you know, at a department level, COTAD is being formally recognized as part of our strategic plan, to work on increasing diversity and inclusivity, and equity, It's becoming more and more integrated into who we are as a program., I think it's essential. And I think that the conversations need to continue, even though they might be uncomfortable and unfamiliar for a lot of people. And I'm hoping we can kind of do that redesign. And I think it's important to get that student representation. Because for us as faculty, that's the intent of the student chapters is really for the students to present this because it is about the students.

Rocio:

A lot of the topics that we're talking about, they're not exactly fun, but it's super important and people are going to be uncomfortable, but it's just things that people need to know. Because racism has happened to a lot of us. So, it's good to speak out, too and for other people who don't want too exactly do it themselves.

Samantha:

Yeah, I totally agree. And thank you guys for sharing with me all the projects that you've been doing, it's been great to hear about it. So, I think that covers what I want to do for the interview. Thank you all so much for taking the time to meet with me. I really appreciate all your thoughts, and all your contributions that you've been making to this cohort, I think they really have made a difference in educating on not just the students, but the faculty as well and how to be more inclusive.

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Thank you again to the MWU COTAD chapter for doing this interview with me! If you know of a COTAD chapter that is doing great work in your school or community and you would like to see them recognized on the blog, suggest them in the comments below or send an email to [email protected].

 

 Gabriela Carmona, woman with long, wavy black hair wearing a light blue button down smiling

 

Rocio Torres, woman with long black hair in a black dress