Graduate Profile: Susan Kattula
Susan Kattula’s major in psychology has helped her improve interactions with occupational therapy clients.
“It has assisted me with understanding certain behaviors and why they may be occurring,” the 2003 graduate says.
“In addition, I have been able to draw on some of the theories to make suggestions to help parents of children I work with address certain behaviors.”
Kattula completed a minor in exercise and health science at Alma. After graduating, she went on to attend Washington University in St. Louis and now works for a pediatric clinic in a Chicago suburb.
Susan Kattula
“The coursework at Alma prepared me very well for my graduate-level classes,” she says.
“In particular, the classes in psychology and exercise and health science gave me a strong base on which to build occupational therapy specific information.”
She was attracted to Alma by the small community and class sizes and the personal attention from professors.
“Alma allowed me to feel comfortable being myself and meet people who would forever impact my life,” she says.
“The small community provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and pursue experiences I may have otherwise missed, such as traveling abroad for a spring term and a semester in New Zealand, and participating in a wide range of campus activities.”
While at Alma, she was a resident assistant and a member of marching and concert bands. Kattula also was involved in Students Offering Service, Psi Chi, the EHS honor society and Omicron Delta Kappa. She coordinated Alma’s first student-led alternative spring break.
