Finding Purpose Through Impactful Service

Katie Cox's journey in Belmont's 3+3 OTD Program 

When Katie Cox began looking at college programs, she approached the process differently than most students. Having known she wanted to be an occupational therapist since her freshman year of high school, Cox searched specifically for an OT program before even exploring undergraduate options. 

"I decided to go to Belmont for the School of Occupational Therapy," Cox said. “Something that was important to me was finding a university where I could complete both my undergraduate and graduate studies if I liked it there and wanted to stay. That's why I looked into Belmont's OT program first, even before exploring their undergraduate options." 

An Accelerated Path to a Doctoral Degree 

Cox, now completing her third year as an exercise science undergraduate student, is part of Belmont's accelerated 3+3 program, which allows high-achieving exercise science students to enter the University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program after just three years of undergraduate study. The program enables students to complete both degrees in six years instead of the traditional seven. 

Although exercise science wasn't initially her chosen field, Cox has embraced the program wholeheartedly.  

"I love the professors so much in the exercise science department. It's just such a community," she said. 

Cox's passion for pediatric occupational therapy has only grown during her time at Belmont, fueled largely by service learning experiences that have become integral to her education. Through Dr. Holly Huddleston's Foundations of Exercise Science course, which requires 15 hours of service learning, Cox discovered two organizations that would become central to her college experience: Nashville Dolphins and respite nights at Concord Community Church. 

Making An Impact Through Service 

"Service was always something that was important to me before college," Cox explained. "I got to find something more that I loved and was also about my major, which was fun." 

For three years, Cox has volunteered weekly with Nashville Dolphins, a nonprofit organization providing one-on-one swim lessons for children with disabilities. She has worked with the same student throughout this time — a 14-year-old with Down syndrome who has progressed so well he's now moving up to the swim team. 

"Just being able to connect with the kids and build relationships of trust is so important," Cox said. 

Cox also volunteers monthly at respite nights, which give parents of children with disabilities a four-hour break while volunteers work one-on-one with the children and their siblings. 

"It's an opportunity for everyone to come and have an equal opportunity to just have fun and do what they want," Cox said. "Kids with disabilities are so used to having such structured routine, which is very important for them, but at respite nights they can just jump on the bouncy house for two hours if they want." 

Her service experiences have expanded to include Night to Shine, Tim Tebow's prom event for teens and adults with disabilities, where Cox has volunteered for the past two years. 

"Attendees get to walk the red carpet and be announced. There's singing, karaoke, dancing, and they get a corsage, food and pictures. It's a night for them to feel honored," she said. 

Turning Service Work into a Career  

Cox's commitment to service learning became the foundation for research she conducted with Huddleston on how service learning impacts career-inspired passion. She interviewed students, volunteer coordinators and parents involved with Nashville Dolphins and respite nights, presenting their findings at a conference in Auburn, AL last year. 

Their research examined how service learning prepared students for their careers while supporting community organizations.  

"It was so interesting to see the impact of service and how we can best prepare our volunteers," Cox said. 

As Cox prepares to transition to Belmont's OTD program this fall, she reflects on how service has shaped her education and future career aspirations in pediatric occupational therapy, particularly working with children with autism. 

"I think service is something that I need. It's almost my way of resting, which sounds crazy to so many people," Cox said. "It will also be important to motivate me in my studies because it's a constant reminder of what I want to do." 

When it comes to advice for incoming students, Cox encourages them to get involved.  

"Connect with others. Take the time to get to know professors and people that you're volunteering with," she said. "Find something that is your 'why' and go out and do it before you even have your credentials. Do something that you really enjoy, because it's not about just putting something on your resume. It's about actually learning, enjoying and connecting with others."