Meghan Connolly

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Manassas, VA
Graduate Student in Occupational Therapy in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services
Campus Involvement: Member of the Radford University Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), and a graduate assistant in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies

While a freshman at another university in Virginia, Meghan Connolly made a friend who was from Radford. During a weekend visit to her friend’s hometown, Connolly fell in love with Radford University and the city.

“After I completed my first year at the other college, I knew I needed to transfer because Radford University had exactly the type of classes I needed and I loved the area,” she said.

Connolly always has had a passion for helping others and wanted to pursue a profession that allowed her to do that. While she originally planned to work toward becoming a physical therapist, after transferring to Radford University, Connolly decided occupational therapy was a better fit for her and her long-term career goals.

Connolly became a member of the Radford University community her sophomore year and completed her undergraduate degree in sports medicine in the spring of 2013. Before graduating, Connolly knew she wanted to continue her education. Without any hesitation, she applied to Radford University’s master of occupational therapy program.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else but Radford for my master’s degree. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even apply to other universities,” Connolly said.

Now starting her second year in the graduate program, Connolly says what she enjoys most is the small class sizes and the individualized instruction from the professors in the program.

After she completes her degree, Connolly’s goal is to become a pediatric occupational therapist at an out-patient clinic.

“I’ve completed a lot of observation hours and hands-on learning with kids in an occupational therapy environment and it’s what I love,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun and it makes me feel good to know I am making a big difference in their lives.”