Jasmine Tran has a passion for diversifying the profession of occupational therapy. For her many contributions, Tran is being recognized as an outstanding master’s program graduate of Colorado State University’s Department of Occupational Therapy.  

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Tran came to the OT program after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. “I decided to attend CSU because of the established, well-known occupational therapy program and opportunities for hands-on learning in the class, fieldwork experiences, and esteemed research from the department,” she said. 

As a first-generation student, there are many barriers to overcome when accessing higher education. Tran did not let this stand in her way and was able to thrive and be successful in the OT program. 

“Once accepted, I reflected on my earlier experiences of a desire to have a sense of belonging, support, and access to resources. I prioritized the department’s attention and passion for inclusive excellence because it is a very important value to me,” said Tran.  

Importance of occupational therapy 

Tran has been very involved in the OT department, striving to foster a community predicated on inclusiveness. 

“I have been most involved with DiverseOT, a student organization through the OT department that has the mission to advance the cultural climate within OT,” she said. “At DiverseOT, we strive to foster a strong community of critically reflective occupational therapists to provide culturally relevant care to individuals, populations, and communities that we serve.”  

Tran seeks to create positive change not only at CSU, but in the world.  

“When there is a supportive environment, only then is it easier to feel comfortable and safe in the classroom to speak on pressing topics to ensure that eventually, the OT profession can impact the lives of others,” said Tran. 

Tran was the inaugural recipient of the Teresa and Bruce Boynton OT Diversity Scholarship, created to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to enter the field of occupational therapy 

Reflecting on the journey to graduation 

Tran navigated some challenges while a student at CSU, including managing a chronic illness while encountering difficulties with the healthcare system. Her experience will help shape her future as a healthcare provider. 

“I had to learn how to manage my own medications, work through insurance difficulties, financial burdens of appointments and care, and overall challenge of being heard and empathized within the healthcare system,” said Tran. “Therefore, from personal experiences with the healthcare system, my passions have only deepened to ensure that my future client/patient interactions are not a reflection of my own.” 

Past experiences paired with a deep ambition to help others have propelled Tran to leave a positive impact on the landscape of occupational therapy. 

“The OT profession is moving toward being a more diverse field to better reflect those we serve,” she said. “Much of my time during the program was focused on supporting other students and future communities to seek higher education with more resources, services, and support because we all deserve the opportunity to have more education in fields that we are passionate about.” 

Tran did not become a devoted occupational therapist alone, however.  

She credits much of her success to Jen Weaver, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. “Jen Weaver has greatly impacted my academic experience through research. She truly cares for all her research and through her passion, I was able to admire research just as much.” 

Weaver and Tran have a synonymous outlook on the world of OT. 

“We are driven to make the student experience a more welcoming, safe place, and work toward the mission in various ways. I admired working with such passionate individuals and many of them have supported me in being the best future OT and greatly impacted the department,” said Tran. 

Throughout her time at CSU, Tran worked to ensure that the next generation of students have beneficial opportunities and a clear path to success. 

“I am proud of all the things completed in research and through DiverseOT, as we were able to make our program more diverse and supportive for students,” said Tran. “Overall, I am most proud of making it to graduation!” 

Following graduation in May, Tran said, “I will be completing my last fieldwork over the summer at a rehabilitation hospital that specializes in neurorehabilitation and research for individuals with spinal cord injury and brain injury.” 

Tran has a promising future predicated on helping others, fostering caring and inclusive environments, and encouraging beneficial change in occupational therapy. “I feel eager to support marginalized communities to ensure that they are receiving the proper care, resources, and services that are essential for health and well-being. With the OT mindset, we all deserve to engage, perform, and participate in our most meaningful occupations!” 

The Department of Occupational Therapy is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.