Dr. Natasha Smet, OTD, OTR/L joined the Occupational Therapy Program on September 1, 2024, as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Associate Professor. She has an occupational therapy doctorate from the University of Toledo, Ohio (2014) and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2011). She was initially certified by the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy in 2014. Dr. Smet is a licensed OT in Colorado (2015), Arizona (2018) and Oregon (2024). She has been in clinical practice for over 10 years in various settings including schools, early childhood programs, acute care, pediatric outpatient rehab, and pediatric home health. She began adjunct teaching in May 2016 and transitioned to full-time academia in September of 2018. Her previous academic roles include associate professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Director of Curriculum, Program Site Coordinator and Interim Program Director in occupational therapy assistant, Masters, Doctoral, and Post-Professional doctoral degree programs. Dr. Smet is a published author and speaker at national and international conferences. Her research interests include children and youth, the lived experiences of neurodivergent adult learners and social justice issues facing people of multiple minoritized identities. She has taught several continuing education courses at the local, state, and national level for occupational therapy providers and the community. She is a member of the Arizona and Oregon Occupational Therapy Associations, AOTA, WFOT and a scholarship reviewer for AOTF. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University (Go Rams!). A few of her occupational roles include wife, mother of Z (two-legged kid) and Bennie, Stella and Jax (four-legged kids). She enjoys traveling with her family, swimming, cooking, and watching women's sports, especially basketball.