Student Spotlight | Emma Stadnick

Finding her place at Augustana

How a small cohort helped Emma Stadnick feel at home in occupational therapy

By Erika Nakatsui · October 2026

Emma Stadnick, MScOT student at Augustana Campus

The gift exchange wasn’t part of any curriculum. Emma Stadnick’s cohort gathered with coloured pencils, snacks and a Secret Santa draw that included their instructors. It was a small event, but Emma brings it up often when she describes her first year at Augustana Campus.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to relax and connect with my peers,” she says. “I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together.”

A cohort that feels like a community

Emma speaks warmly about her classmates, her instructors and the profession she is working toward. She has never considered herself especially outgoing, and she didn’t expect to feel so comfortable in a social setting. Augustana’s small cohort helped her get there.

“I have realized that I genuinely enjoy collaborating with others,” she says. “I have come to appreciate how each person brings unique experiences and perspectives.”

“I have come to appreciate how each person brings unique experiences and perspectives.”

Emma Stadnick

Rooted in rural Saskatchewan

Emma grew up in rural Saskatchewan, where health services were often limited and getting care could take real effort. That experience led her to occupational therapy and still shapes her goals. She has a strong interest in rural practice and is committed to making care more equitable for people in communities like the one she grew up in.

A wider view of the profession

Her first year also changed how she thought about the profession. She had pictured OTs working mostly in outpatient settings. Instead, she learned the field includes mental health, pediatrics, acute care and community practice. Mental health has caught her interest, but she is keeping her options open for now.

One of the most meaningful moments of her year came from a classmate. He told the story of someone whose recovery had been shaped by an occupational therapist and how that support changed their daily life. Hearing it confirmed for Emma that she had chosen the right path.

She begins her second year curious, connected to her cohort and eager to see where occupational therapy will take her.