Helping the Helpers: How Donor Support Fuels the Journey

Sidney Czinder

Sidney is a first-generation student from Nunica, a small community along I-96 about 9 miles east of Grand Haven. Sidney had dreamed of becoming an elementary teacher, but after working in a classroom setting, she realized being a traditional teacher wasn’t for her. She began exploring careers that would allow her to teach in other ways. Through the guidance of her high school advisors and a Google search for “medical careers without needles,” Sidney landed on occupational therapy.

Upon enrolling at SVSU, Sidney received the Founder’s Scholarship and other outside scholarship support. Even with this support, she had to work many hours to cobble together money for tuition and other expenses. After being admitted to the MSOT program, Sidney had to drastically cut her work schedule, which weakened her financial situation. The $1,200 MSOT Degree Completion award was critical funding for her continuing education.

Balancing work, study and pandemic disruptions was a struggle for Sidney at first. She failed two classes in 2020 but refused to let that setback define her. She made a drastic turnaround, making the Dean’s List in fall 2022. “I really tried to put my best foot forward and focus on school. I even have a sign on my desk that says ‘Here, school comes first.’”

While Sidney's difficult first year significantly delayed her progress, she remained passionate about occupational therapy and determined to finish her MSOT prerequisites. She was accepted into the program's Fall 2024 cohort and is on track to graduate in May 2027.

Sidney loves that, as an occupational therapist, she can educate her patients and make a real difference in their lives. “Occupational therapy involves not only educating your patients on how to do things, but also how to advocate for themselves.”

She has already found multiple opportunities to apply what she is learning in her program to help patients at her internship sites. But that isn’t all. While working at a local grocery store, Sidney found herself sharing helpful tips with customers that made their shopping easier, such as carrying groceries with your forearms instead of your hands.

Tessa Keysor

A Saginaw native and graduate of Valley Lutheran High School, Tessa Keysor began her journey with the SVSU occupational therapy program through the Freshman Direct Admit Track in 2020.

Tessa has always been deeply committed to giving back to her community. She has coached the girl’s basketball and volleyball teams at Bethlehem Lutheran School, mentored students at her church, and volunteered at the Zilwaukee Fire Department for its CPR recertification classes and muscular dystrophy drives.

Tessa fell in love with OT after taking an OT class at her local career center in high school and through volunteering in schools. “It stoked my passion for being an occupational therapist.” She hopes to continue giving back to the community after she graduates. “I would truly love to implement an after-school program for local schools.”

Despite receiving the University Scholarship, a four-year renewable award, Tessa has had to make sacrifices to pay remaining expenses. Even with careful budgeting, living at home, commuting and working two jobs, the financial strain of paying for classes and supplies became overwhelming. “I wasn’t sure if I was financially able to stay in the program,” Tessa admitted. Fortunately, the MSOT Degree Completion Fund provided much-needed assistance at a critical time. “This scholarship truly changed my life.”

This summer, Tessa will be traveling to Arizona to complete one of the final clinical experience milestones on her way to earning her degree. While this will be another financial challenge, as clinical experience is unpaid, it will be more manageable because of the sacrifices she has made and the support of donor-funded scholarships.

Thanks to careful planning, hard work and donor support, Tessa will be graduating this December debt-free. Following graduation, she will sit for the national certification exam to become a registered occupational therapist (OTR).

The Power of Giving

Tessa and Sidney represent what makes SVSU Cardinals stand out. Despite personal, financial and educational challenges, they have followed their respective paths, driven by their passion for occupational therapy. Thanks to the generosity of donors during Oppor2nity Days 2024, these students had the support they needed to keep moving forward. Their stories are testaments to the power of giving and its lasting impact.    

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About SVSU’s Occupational Therapy Program
Occupational therapy is a growing profession dedicated to helping individuals regain independence in daily life in a variety of settings. Demand for OT professionals is rising, making it critical to prepare and support students pursuing this field. Students can enter SVSU’s master’s level occupational therapy program through three pathways: 1) 3+2 Admit Track, a five-year path where students transition into the master’s program after 3 years of undergraduate studies; 2) Bachelor’s Admit Track for those with a bachelor’s degree; and 3) Freshman Direct Admit Track for high-achieving incoming students.