AOTA Diverse Leaders Program Application

Click HERE to start your application.

Applications are due by 12 noon ET on April 30, 2022

Late submissions will not be considered

Direct questions to dei@aota.org or to Alison Bondurant at 240-482-4143

Program Overview

The 12-month AOTA Diverse Leaders Program offers its Scholars the opportunity to learn from experts within and outside the occupational therapy profession and explore current and emerging issues in inclusive and effective leadership.

Through this initiative, we will identify, develop, and support emerging leaders from under-represented groups within the occupational therapy community to participate in an accelerated program of leadership education, coaching, and service to the profession. These leader Scholars will be critical to guiding the profession in the future, including efforts to attract and engage practitioners from diverse backgrounds.  It is not the program’s intent to have designated slots for specific backgrounds or attributes. However, the goal is to attract a diverse group of applicants.

After completing the program, these selected Scholars will move on to leadership roles in AOTA, engaging with the AOTA Board of Directors and other committees, commissions, and councils in AOTA. Each year Scholars will reunite at the annual AOTA INSPIRE conference, with featured guests and in-depth exploration of issues challenging the profession.

Among the topics you will learn

• Establishing professional & leadership identity
• Transforming ideas for influence & impact
• Communicating effectively
• Thriving in change
• Developing a strategic mindset
• Design thinking
• Talent development
• Influencing systems
• Driving innovation

How you will learn

• Leadership Deep Dives:  Monthly facilitated, interactive case studies, master sessions, virtual seminars with leadership faculty and invited guests for an in-depth exploration of leadership, and applications of leadership topics with a special focus on the leader’s role in inclusion and equity.
• Coaching:  Individual and group coaching from certified executive and leadership coaches.

Format

Online and In-Person

Time commitment

2 to 3 hours of program activities or assignments per week, with one or two multiday in-person events scheduled. The schedule of activities will be adjusted to accommodate the Scholars, faculty, and invited experts and special activities identified throughout the year.

Financial support

No cost to participants.  Support for Scholars is made possible by the generous support of The Sandra Hoskins Legacy Foundation, Inc., and will cover all registration fees for online, self-paced, and in-person learning and events. All materials and resources developed for and used in this program, travel, lodging, and per diem costs for in-person meetings held during the training year will also be covered.

Eligibility

• OT’s and OTA’s who are emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in the profession’s current leadership
• Applicants must be licensed to practice in the United States with at least three years post-graduate experience.
• Applicants must be members of AOTA at the time of entering the program and must maintain their active membership throughout their time as a Scholar.

Selection

Applications will be reviewed by the AOTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, with up to seven individuals selected for the class.

Program start

July 1, 2022