The Baltimore Sun | Sunday, October 15, 2023 7SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTEarning a doctorate and chasing adream at Towson UniversityComing to Towson University was one ofthe biggest risks of Meagan Downey’slife.She already had an extensive education, earning bachelor’s degrees inbiology and dance as well as a master’s degree inenvironmental education.Downey even had her dream job, working asa program manager at Robinson Nature Centerin Columbia, Maryland. But after 10 years there,another dream came true—she and her husbandhad a son.“I was working a lot of weekends,” Downeysays. “I was interested in doing something different so my schedule would align a bit more withmy son.”One fateful day at the nature center, she wasworking with a group called Leadership HowardCounty, which brought in occupational therapiststo make the nature center is more accessible tovisitors on the autism spectrum.“I found that project really cool and satisfying—removing barriers for people to do thingsthey might want to do,” Downey says. “I’d neverheard of occupational therapy. I started looking into it, taking the prerequisites and appliedto Towson University because it was the onlyprogram in Maryland that has an entry-leveldoctorate.”Before taking the leap into TU's Entry-LevelOccupational Therapy Doctorate program, shewanted to make sure the school was right forher. So, she attended the Graduate Studies OpenHouse.It was there she met occupational therapyfaculty members as well as students already in theprogram. She even met a recent alum who wasdoing nature-based occupational therapy.Now, over a full year into the program,Downey knows she made the right decision.“I’m learning how to create splints for people,different techniques for treating mental health,coping mechanisms and stress management. It’sbeen great for me,” Downey says. “My cohort [is agroup of] amazing people who have backgroundsin health science, exercise science and healthpromotion. So, I learn a lot from them as well.”She’s also integrated into her new campus.She currently works as a research assistant foroccupational therapy faculty member AmandaJozkowski and as a member of the OccupationalTherapy Student Advisory Board.As she continues along her new career path,Downey credits the help she’s received from thefaculty and her fellow cohort members for making her transition smoother.“Having this support means I can realize mydream,” Downey says. “Leaving a stable job wasa big risk. But I feel like Towson University hasgiven me nothing but support since I started”.
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