Meet Ashley Anderson, MS, OTR/L, the new academic fieldwork coordinator, who enjoys connecting Occupational Therapy (OT) students from Drexel University's Elkins Park campus with meaningful fieldwork experiences and coordinating assignments that help them put learning into practice.
“We have two classes of students and a list of reserved placements, and we do our very best to help the students have a well-rounded experience,” said Anderson.
According to Anderson, it’s in the DNA of many occupational therapists to be problem-solvers, a skill that translates well into the profession and makes a challenging task like scheduling Level 1 and Level 2 fieldwork placements a little easier to navigate.
“I knew what I was signing up for. I know how much hard work goes into it, so I’ve always given credit to academic fieldwork coordinators because I know it’s a big job,” said Anderson, who assumed the role in late May 2026.
There are currently around 75 students in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program between the first-year and second-year cohorts who need Level 1 and Level 2 placements, respectively. Placements occur in a wide variety of settings with a wide variety of populations, including hospitals, schools, inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities, community practices, and new emerging practice areas. Level 1 placements require students to complete at least 40 hours where students begin interacting and working with clients. Following that, students complete two 12-week full-time Level 2 rotations that prepare them for entry-level practice.
“Scheduling is manageable because the students are in different phases of skilled work within their OT education,” said Anderson. “However, we are always thinking ahead and trying to find new and exciting placements to keep things interesting for our students. We need to be prepared and work ahead as sites require us to reserve placements well in advance.”
Anderson joined the department as a full-time faculty member in May 2024. Originally from the Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia, she completed her undergraduate work in healthcare administration at Arcadia University. She then earned her master’s degree in OT from Philadelphia University. For the next 10 years, she was a staff occupational therapist working in acute and sub-acute rehabilitation, primarily with the adult population, at Holy Redeemer Hospital, part of Redeemer Health.
She knew she always had an interest in academia because she enjoys working closely with students. She’s still a classroom professor and lab instructor, so that keeps her in close contact with students. In her new role as fieldwork coordinator, though, she gets to work even more one-on-one with them.
One of her immediate goals is to try to develop new partnerships with various organizations, companies, and programs to diversify fieldwork opportunities for Drexel OT students.
“Because OT is such a dynamic field, we’re always branching into new areas, so trying to capture some fieldwork rotations in these new areas of practice is a goal of mine," said Anderson.
Although she’s still adapting to the new position, she said things are going well, and she has a great support team in the OT department to help her. “Getting our students out into their fieldwork is definitely a team effort,” she said. “It’s a great experience, and it’s definitely something I can see myself doing long-term.”
