Wallace State Celebrates Occupational Therapy Assistant Graduates

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College celebrated the graduation of more than 40 students from the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program with a pinning ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the James C. Bailey Center Auditorium.

Program Director Dr. Rachel Gooch congratulated the graduates for their accomplishment and noted the outstanding character of the group.

“You made it through all of the classes, labs and fieldwork and you’ve emerged on the other side of it all smarter, stronger and even more passionate about occupational therapy,” she said.

“When I reflect on your group, a few key traits come to mind: resilience, flexibility and kindness. All are hallmarks of a great OTA,” Gooch added. “The kindness that your class possesses is unmatched. I can confidently say that you all are the kindest, most caring group of students that I’ve ever had the honor of teaching. In know that you all will take this kindness with you and share it with every patient you treat and every caregiver you interact with.”

Kelly Wilson, the program’s Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, shared with the graduates a simple phrase that reminded her of the class of 2025. “’We came to serve, not be served,’” she quoted.

“It reminded me of this class and the heart behind everything you’ve done this year,” Wilson added. “I believe it’s a motto worth carrying on with us, not just in our work at OTAs, but in life.”

“I am so proud of every one of you,” she added. “You are smart, capable and compassionate. Go out and change the world, and don’t forget to stay in touch, especially with those baby photos.”

A total of four students welcomed babies to their families, including class co-president Tyree Bothwell, who addressed the class as well as his co-president, Savannah Patterson.

Four students from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program welcomed children to their families during their time in the program. From left are Katelyn Shirey, Tyree Bothwell, Nida Khowaja and Kylee Hysell.

“Occupational therapy is about helping people live life to its fullest. And learning to do that for others, I think we’ve also learned to do that for ourselves,” Bothwell said. “We’ve grown from unsure students to confident, capable practitioners who are ready to walk into someone’s most vulnerable moments and say, ‘I’m here. Let’s figure this out together.’”

“Today as we are pinned, each of us will make the transition from students to healthcare professionals,” Patterson said. “The knowledge we received in classes and countless hours of studying will begin to reappear as we treat our clients, and with that, our confidence will grow.

“Let’s leave here in celebration because today not only marks the end of a chapter, but it opens the door to a career full of learning and growing together.”

The Wallace State Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Class of 2025 includes:

• Albertville: Emily Mendes, Kelsey Millican
• Birmingham: Brittney Sharpe, Allie Upton
• Blountsville: Maggie Adams
• Boaz: Emily Blancas
• Centre: Anthony Rocco
• Cullman: Molly Carmack, Amanda Cunningham, KateLynn Furr, Autumn Selman
• Danville: Natalee Felong
• Dora: MaKenzi Wylie
• Falkville: Alexis Roberts
• Fort Payne: Raven Fairley
• Fyffe: Cindy Bryan
• Gadsden: Sarah McCarver
• Guntersville: Abby Anderson
• Hackleburg: Haley Liming
• Haleyville: Breanna Barton, Heather Jackson
• Hanceville: Carley Cofield
• Hartselle: Halle Bone, Caitlyn Robinson
• Hayden: Kaley Cates, McKenzie Taylor
• Hoover: Dericka Jones, Nida Khowaja
• Huntsville: Jamesia Edmond, Molly Sims, Emily Wallace
• Madison: Nicole Jobb, Lindsey Murphy
• Millbrook: Kyndal Hearn
• Morris: Ariel Mattes
• Oneonta: Storm Edgil, Savannah Patterson
• Pelham: Sarah Tompkins
• Rainbow City: Tyree Bothwell, Ashley Shirey
• Russellville: Allie Bishop
• Tuscaloosa: Sh’Jorian Johnson, Amelia Porto
• Weaver: Kylee Hysell
• Lawrenceburg, Tenn.: Kaylee Busby
• Loretto, Tenn.: Katelyn Roberson

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers an associate in applied science degree that can be completed in three semesters. Two semesters of prerequisites are required before applying to the program. Applications for the Fall 2025 semester are open while spots remain available. For more information, call 256.352.8333, email Rachel.gooch@wallacestate.edu or visit www.wallacestate.edu/OTA. 

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19 for regular and Mini Term I and Oct. 16 for Mini Term II. Registration and classes begin Aug. 26 for Flex Start Term I and Sept. 2 for Flex Start Term II. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call Lion Central at 256.352.8236.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.