July 16, 2025
After nearly 30 years away from home, Melissa Robinson returned to Scioto County to teach for her alma mater, AIɫɫ. After her graduation from the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, Robinson wanted experience in a variety of fields in Occupational Therapy and committed to a traveling job.
“A few years after graduation I decided to take a 12-week travel assignment to gain more experience in different areas of the field and travel our great country,” said Robinson.
However, after meeting her husband during those 12 weeks, the assignment turned into 26 years. Those years were spent learning and expanding her career. She gained her bachelor’s in psychology, along with a master’s in management all while continuously working.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Robinson realized that her 26 years away from home was enough and she needed to return to Scioto County.
“I had always missed being ‘home’ and after much discussion and prayers we decided it would be best to move our family back to the Scioto County area,” said Robinson.
Moving back home felt right to Robinson and her family, particularly when she found out her alma mater had an opening for an adjunct OTA instructor.
“I was ecstatic to see the opportunity and responded at once,” Robinson said. "I received a call, applied, interviewed, and am now happy to report that I am now a full-time instructor and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.”
Even while at SSU, Robinson continues to better herself for the students. She has earned NBCOT micro credentialing in Adult Rehabilitation, Dementia Care, and is certified as a Fieldwork Educator.
“Currently I am pursuing an additional graduate certificate in Gerontology to further develop my knowledge in the Occupation Therapy field to provide the best possible education to my students,” Robinson noted.
The ability to work in the Occupational Therapy field from a completely different angle excited Robinson. Each day she prepares students for a stable career in an unpredictable field. The SSU OTA program teaches students how to help disabled people of all ages to acquire or regain the skills they need to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
“The world of Occupational Therapy and the services we provide are different every day,” she said. “You will never have the same day, and it can be challenging as well as rewarding at the same time.”
To learn more about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at AIɫɫ, visit shawnee.edu/ota.