Governors State: Making the world a better place

dustin Hogan

For Occupational Therapy major Dustin Hogan, Governors State University (GSU) has been an epicenter for promoting curiosity. He hopes to specialize in a few areas in the field after graduation and to eventually pursue a doctorate degree.

GSU Newsroom: What conversation(s) that started at GSU will you continue into your workplace?

Hogan: Governors State University has provided a culture that promotes curiosity in the pursuit of skills and knowledge that will make ourselves and the world around me better.  As an aspiring Occupational Therapist, I will bring that curiosity into the workplace.

GSU Newsroom: What does being a Jaguar mean to you?

Hogan: Being a Jaguar means honoring the amazingly true innate dignity in yourself and others. And imploring yourself and others to give the best of you, the best you have to offer, to make this world better.

GSU Newsroom: What are your top two experiences (or professors) at GSU and why?

Hogan: The process of learning through research projects provided me with more skills and confidence to ask better questions and be a constant learner.

Because the faculty in our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at GSU encouraged us as growing professionals to take initiative to pursue community service projects and professional development opportunities, I took on a couple of projects I would otherwise not have. Such as working with a colleague to logistically organize a continuing education workshop.

GSU Newsroom: What were some challenges at GSU and how did the university help you to overcome them?

Hogan: Personally, I’ll never forget the grace and comfort my professors/faculty provided on a day I received some heartbreaking news. Thank you to Dr. Schranz and Dr. Czuba for literally being a shoulder to lean on and for Dr. Carr and Patti for your warmth and practical support.

GSU Newsroom: How did GSU prepare you for working in the post-Covid world?

Hogan: Dr. Frank Czuba shared this quote in class “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” As an aspiring Occupational Therapist, the MOT program at GSU has challenged me to have occupational balance also known as a health promoting work/life balance.  Perhaps all the more important in this post-Covid world, this program has emboldened me to advocate for that occupational balance in myself and for others.

GSU Newsroom: What’s next after graduation

Hogan: The scope of Occupational Therapy is quite large.  I’m not exactly sure where I want to work and what population I want to work with.  I will for sure aim to add quality value on my team and in the lives of my clients.  I’m interested in specializing in some areas within the field as well.  And in the future, I will pursue Doctoral Studies because I want to be a part of bolstering the evidence showing the impact this field has to offer our community.