Wilson College is now accepting applications for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy’s inaugural cohort expected to start classes in January 2026 with the first graduating class to receive diplomas in December 2027. Prospective students can apply through December 5, 2025, through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
The new hybrid accelerated Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is the first online doctorate to be offered by Wilson College. The OTD educational model will include flexible online learning, in-person lab immersion experiences, and fieldwork opportunities, culminating in a capstone project and preparation for board examination. Wilson’s accelerated OTD program allows students to complete the program in two years rather than the average three or more years in a traditional OTD program. The condensed timeline allows graduates to enter the workforce sooner and with less debt. Evidence In Motion (EIM), a leading provider of online and hybrid healthcare education, provides the unique hybrid program structure and curriculum.
Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate said, “We are excited to welcome the first OTD cohort to Wilson. The addition of this program furthers our mission to innovatively provide high quality, affordable education while providing students access to a high-demand program that will ultimately benefit them and their communities.”
The hybrid structure of the program makes it accessible to students in areas beyond the state or region who want to remain in their own communities for the online and fieldwork portions of the program. Travel to the Philadelphia metropolitan area is required eight times during the two-year program for hands-on lab immersions. The Wilson College faculty, with decades of combined expertise in occupational therapy, developed the course curriculum. The program coursework involves innovative educational methods, current research, cutting-edge software, and personalized support that will empower future generations of leaders in occupational therapy.
Wilson OTD Program Director Michael Gerg, DOT, OTR/L, said, "Wilson College’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation has provided the foundation for a curriculum that not only prepares students for clinical success but also inspires them to become transformative leaders in the field of occupational therapy. I eagerly anticipate welcoming students from both the local region and across the country, fostering a diverse and dynamic learning community."
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people across the lifespan, focusing on occupational tasks, daily skills and personal goals that promote independence. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for occupational therapists in 2023 was $96,370, and the profession is expected to grow by 11% (faster than average) through 2033.
For more information visit: https://www.wilson.edu/doctor-occupational-therapy.
The Ten Tones have returned! This much-loved a cappella ensemble originated in the late 1950s and provided entertainment through musical performances on campus and regionally for several decades. According to its former and current members, the group embodies the core of what Wilson is: a welcoming mixture of ages, abilities, and interests that inspire, encourage, and support each other through music.
Congratulations to all the students who made the Wilson College Dean's List for Fall 2024.
Wilson CollegeOffice of the RegistrarFall 2024 Dean’s List
Hope AdamsJill AhlgrenAdesewami AjirotutuHannah AkerManal Hamdan S AlanaziPaige AlbrightRusbelly AlmonteEsteban Alvarez MaganaKelley ApplebyEric ArbogastSydney BabicekBarbara BakerBrady BaknerAcadia BanisJennifer BannonRachel BardsleySydney BarkerKaley BarnhartEmmy BaschoffAveri BassettHana BellowsPayton BennettRachel BieseckerJulie BinderMichaela BlackJade BlaggKaitlyn BlizzardJason BoakEliza BoehmerMadison BootieHannah BostShelby BowmanKayli BradyEmily BrechbielLaura BreighnerMadison BriggsMatt BrowningMia BrunetLexi BuckleyMadelyn BushSarah BusheyYasmin CalderonSophia CallahanEdrick CartagenaJustine CastroCinthya ChavarriaAllison ClaytonJamie ClendeningWynter CooleyElizabeth CordonJorge CortezTyler CottoneFaith CrawfordSarah CroweKatelyn CrupAllie CullisonKaren CutlerColin DavidsonCrystal DavisMaddie DavisSara DawsonAdaira DeckerEmma DelicatoJordan DevincentIsabella Di TroiaAutumn DicandiloGrace DickinsonSarah DiehlOlivia DingzonKassandra DottererMadison EbersoleZoie EcholsJulia ElliottOlivia EwingSadie FikeAnna FlennerPatty FlookMadeline FloresAngelina Flores RosaChelcie ForresterRebecca FoxRaegan FranzDanica FrushourClaudia FumagalliLyssa GableTrinity GandyKylie GardinerDanielle GarmanEmily GarnerHamida GawhariHomaira GawhariOlivia GelbaughAndrew GervasiMary GingrichLainnie GlennErin GoheganShannon GougeMargaret GreeleyGrace GregoryJasmine GruverNessa HakeHaley HamrickMadison HamrickTaylor HardestyMiranda HardyShelby HarmonAndrew HarnerSydney HartleElysabeth HaughElla HawbeckerCarrie HeberligAddie HebertOlivia HeidrichAlyvia HennemanNikki HockenberryOlivia HoffmanEmily HollandAbigail Howard GoisJenna HowellLexie HubbardSusan HubbardAce HudnellKyra HuebnerSamantha HutchinsonJada JenkinsEmily JohnsonCasey KauffmanChloe KelleyBreaunna KelsoStacy KerrTrea KeysElivia KipeMaria KleinRyan KoontzAlexa KosofskySage LagueElizabeth LandonAudrey LekeRiley LeMayMichael LightMatthew LineKarlee LisinskiEmma LivelsbergerKalyna LloydEthan LocklearAliya LockmanKendi LongElena LotruglioJeremiah LoyerAdrian LugoSavanna MackieCarleigh MagersKinsey MancillAmanda MargesonElaina MarkerDanielle MartinEmily MartinSydney MarzaNevaeh MatlackChloe MaurerPayton McCauleyGaberiella McConnellJacob MccoyMadelyn MccoyChristine MckayJordan McKenzieCadence McmahonCarley McNewDrue MealsAndrea MedinaDeah MenedisGianna MenziettiBenjamin MetzTori MeyerKlarissa MileyEmily MillerMadison MillerNadia MitrovichSummer MoffettWaverly MoffettSkylar MolnarMackenzie MonnAbby MorelandLia MortKiaya MouerNatalie MullenAlayna MyattVincent NataleRachel NewswangerPaige NeyMarianne Ngo Bapa Ba BoumtjeAmanda NussTyler O'BrienKiera O'BrineAriatna OchoaCaitlin OlivieroMara ParisAnya ParkolayIttai PayneKalea PechartLiam PepolJalen PierceRylee PiperCaden PollardKaylee PomfretRosa PortillaBrooklyn PresleyLexi Ramirez-TeoEmily RandallsTobias ReeseJosie ReinhardtMakayla ReiterKayla RichardsIsaiah RifeAshley RingquistMichael RiosKris RobinsonLesley RodriguezPiper RohrbaughAbby RosenberryEmma RosetErin RoszkowiakMimi RubioReilly RyanSam RybackiNicole SadlowskiOlalla SanchezLynn SariskyLeila SchreinerNiki SchusslerKatelynn ScottSavanah SeablomAlycia SemancoKate SeymourHalley ShafferMadison ShanholtzMegan ShankSophie ShatzerAlysa SheatsKayla ShepardConnor ShopeHannah ShultzKristina SlattAlea SmithAnna SmithJamie SmithKim SnodgrassLindsey SnyderRegina SnyderBianca SommersCassidy SowersBrynn SpangenbergerSkyler SpeigleElla SponheimerEmily StamperJessica StartzelHailey SteeleKayla SteinmetzCamden SternerAshley StevensBarry StocksAbigail StonerCheyenne StrenskiAdrianna StricekHennessy StrineHayden SturgeonChase SupenskyIsabella SwanKatie SweigartJade SytoKayla TalbertAlexis ThomasAlyssa ThomasDiana ThomasMegan ThompsonElley ThorntonJustin TimmonsJewels TorresRyan TorresWinter TrammellSenta TrateRebekah TuckeyGretchen TurnerShawn TurnerJulie UhlerFinley VandevanderJenesis VegaAmayah WalkerErin WalshGillian WaltersJulie WarnickQuincey WarrenAllison WatkinsSierra WaylandBella WeaverXavier WebberAlex WeberLaci WeinholdRachael WestonHelena WestraZoey WhitmoreLea WilhelmJulia WilkesPaige WilkinsCourtney WilliamsJace WilliamsJudi WolfJackson WolfeJade WolfeAnne WolfrumMarissa WoodwardTristan WorlockHannah YaiderLiam YeatmanDylan YoumansEmily D. YoungJade YoungEmily ZavadakOlivia ZieglerEllen ZimmermanAnthony ZinziHunter Zittle
Wilson's Muhibbah Club held a sampler dinner where the members talked with students, faculty, and staff about their home countries, customs, and cultures. They offered small tastings of international candies, hot sauces, breakfast foods, beverages, and more.
Muhibbah is an international, intercultural group that represents diverse populations of students. The club comes together to create eclectic dinners, cultural evenings, and other activities to promote cultural awareness.
On the road proudly supporting Pennsylvania educators!
Faculty and staff from Wilson College’s education programs recently attended the PACTE - The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators' Education Assembly where they discussed critical topics facing educators across the commonwealth and how to better connect with Gen Z.
Pictured left to right: Beth Byers, Director of Teacher Certification Pathways, Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Janet Foor, Assistant Professor of Special Education, and Amy Fetterhoff, Education Office Manager.
Learn more about Wilson’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs and Teacher Certification Pathways at https://www.wilson.edu/education-offerings
Check it off the bucket list!
That's what Wilson's international students are doing. The group packed their semester with serving the community, exploring the South Central Pennsylvania area, and, of course, attending classes and being involved on campus.
At the end of the semester, these were just some of the items the students could check off their "must-experience" lists:
✅ Experience “Hersheypark Happy”
✅ Explore Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns
✅ Participate in Trunk-or-Treat
✅ Attend a classic holiday theater production
✅ Hop on board a yellow school bus
✅ Make scarecrows at Wilson Weekend
✅ Ride on the Wilson College float in the Chambersburg Christmas parade
✅ Volunteer on campus
Meet Vincent “Vinny” Natale ’26, a health and physical education major and participant in the Phoenix Leaders Program, which encourages students to explore their potential and develop the confidence to be leaders.
Natale serves as vice president of the Fighting Phoenix and the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), captain of the men’s volleyball team, and a member of the men’s soccer team, along with President for the Class of 2026 and a resident assistant.
Read more about the Phoenix Leaders Program in the latest edition of the Wilson Magazine or in our digital edition, https://mag.wilson.edu/empowering-students-to-rise-as-future-leaders
Spotlight on Erin Roszkowiak ’25, the President for the Class of 2025 and Phoenix Leader!
Roszkowiak uses her leadership skills learned from the Phoenix Leaders Program to empower others as Pre-Vet Club president, Women's Soccer Team Academic Captain, and Omicron Delta Kappa Vice President.
Learn more about Erin's journey and the Phoenix Leaders Program in the latest Wilson Magazine: https://mag.wilson.edu/empowering-students-to-rise-as-future-leaders
The annual Wilson College Creative Writing Colloquium welcomes writers of all levels to a day of immersive learning, insightful discussions, and inspiring connections. Hosted by the Wilson College English and Master’s in Humanities programs, this event will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology Center. The Colloquium is free and includes lunch. All attendees are required to register by February 7 at https://www.wilson.edu/CWC-registration
This year, Alicia Drumgoole, , will present the keynote address. Writing under the pen name Agnes Jayne, she is the author of two novels, “The Problem with Power” and “Premonition,” and short stories published in the anthologies “Last Writes: Haunting Tales from the Mountain Scribes” and “The Appalachian Compilation.”
Morning sessions will feature workshops in fiction and poetry on the following topics:
Action and Emotion: Balancing Intensity and Introspection in Writing
Explore how to craft powerful action scenes that balance physical tension with emotional depth. Presented by author and entrepreneur Kirsten Hubbard, who published her debut novel “Milwaukee Deep: An Ambrose Nobel Novel” in 2023 under her pen name Kirstie Croga. She will release the audiobook and sequel “One White Mule” later this year.
The Fiction of Jeffrey Bardwell
A look at selections from the work of the late Jeffrey Bardwell, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Wilson, who presented a session on newsletters at the 2024 colloquium. Bardwell was the author of several epic fantasy novels with elements of darkness, steampunk, and romance. Sherri Buerdsell, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Wilson College and a good friend of Bardwell, will share insights on his work and she encourages attendees to bring samples of their own writing for the discussion.
Public Health as Muse
The subtle but powerful approaches to creative writing that incorporate public health. Presented by Katy Giebenhain, author of “Sharps Cabaret” from Mercer University Press, who also co-hosts the First Friday poetry series at The Ragged Edge Coffeehouse in Gettysburg.
Revision in Theory and Practice
A session to address reasons the revision process can be challenging and several techniques to help. Presented by Noel Sloboda, Ph.D., professor of English and creative writing at Penn State York and the author of two poetry collections, seven chapbooks, and published works in journals, edited volumes, and periodicals.
The Wilson College Creative Writing Colloquium receives support from the Arts for All grant opportunity of the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.
For more information, visit https://www.wilson.edu/CWC
Wilson College and Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC), a two-year institution located in Warren, Pa., signed a guaranteed transfer agreement to enable NPRC Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education graduates to transfer into Wilson’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor of Arts in Special Education programs with no loss of credit.
Through this pathway, Wilson College will accept a maximum of 60 hours of college-level coursework offered by NPRC. Such courses may be used to fulfill a portion of Wilson College’s general education curriculum and portions of the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree or Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. The terms allow students enrolled in NPRC’s Paraeducators Pathway Program to continue their education at Wilson College and complete their goal of becoming a K-12 special education teacher. Ultimately, this is a step for both NPRC and Wilson College towards fulfilling the need for qualified professionals in special education that is problematic not just in Pennsylvania, but around the United States.
The agreement will also allow learners to complete their bachelor’s degree remotely, with a combination of asynchronous and live instruction, and the opportunity to fulfill their student-teaching requirements at the school district they are currently employed in as a paraeducator. Another key attribute of the signing is it helps provide important accessibility for NPRC graduates to complete their goal of leading a classroom of their own someday soon, without having to uproot their career and life to gain access to advanced education.
Wilson College’s Lynn Newman, Ph.D., director of education and associate professor of education, said, “Wilson College is proud to partner with Northern Pennsylvania Regional College in providing an online opportunity for paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor’s degrees and teaching certifications. As a response to the current teacher shortage, Wilson and NPRC are working together to make a difference in the teaching profession.”
NPRC’s Ben Malczyk, Ph.D., vice president of academics, added, “What I really love about this pathway from NPRC to Wilson College is it allows paraeducators, who are already working in a school, to remain there while they complete their student-teaching. They are already working in that school and have a strong connection to the learners. The fact that this agreement allows NPRC graduates to stay in their day-jobs, complete student-teaching where they are, complete remaining coursework in the evenings, and grant funding is available to support their education will all help ensure that becoming a teacher is more achievable for our students than ever before.”
NPRC will provide academic advising for general education and other prerequisite courses to prepare students who wish to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor of Arts in Special Education degrees through Wilson College. In addition, NPRC will help them prepare the Wilson College transfer admission application. Wilson College and NPRC agree to monitor and support the provisions of this agreement to ensure program consistency, quality, and transferability will benefit students of both institutions. About Wilson College: Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and 40 minors in high-demand and innovative fields including education, nursing, equine studies, veterinary nursing, and sport management, as well as graduate degrees in education, fine arts, the humanities, nursing, and organizational leadership. Offering degree programs in person and online, the College achieved the highest total enrollment in its history for Fall 2024, as it makes higher education accessible and affordable for today’s students. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
About NPRC: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) is authorized by the PA Department of Education to award associate degrees and certificates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. NPRC is an open-admission, two-year institution of higher education. The College's mission is to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary education to the residents of northern Pennsylvania. NPRC brings affordable education to a 10-county region (Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Venango, and Warren). With flexible scheduling options at numerous instructional locations as well as remote, attending Northern Pennsylvania Regional College is an excellent option for individuals interested in furthering their education close to home or who need flexibility in their educational journey. With a growing team of high-quality industry-leading instructors directing our classrooms, students are empowered by a welcoming community to change their lives and brighten their futures. NPRC is a candidate for accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). https://regionalcollegepa.org.
