Katelyn Swierczek Named 2025 President’s Scholar
Katelyn Eleanor Swierczek will be named President’s Scholar at this year’s Honors Convocation ceremony and graduate with her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Science degree and a minor in Psychology on Saturday, May 17.
During her undergraduate career, Katelyn has excellence both in and out of the classroom, earning recognition on the Dean’s List every semester. Alongside her classmates, Katelyn completed Level I fieldwork at the disAbilities Ministry Adaptive Sports Program at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. She was paired with a participant and engaged in various adaptive sporting activities, such as football, basketball, and scooter games. Katelyn also worked closely with children and their families to set goals to enhance participation and had planned sessions with classmates. Katelyn will complete two additional Level I rotations during summer and fall 2025 before beginning her full-time Level II fieldwork rotations in 2026.
Within her program, Katelyn conducted a scoping review on neuroplasticity and language development in pediatric stroke patients, exploring how the critical developmental period influences the speed of neuroplasticity-driven language, oral motor, and cognitive recovery. She also researched interventions that enhance language and oral motor development, and presented her findings at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference.
Outside of the classroom, Katelyn was involved with the Mercy Center, participating in service events, synodal listening sessions, and a trip to the Conference for Mercy Higher Education Justice Advocacy Program in Washington, DC where she advocated for climate change. She also served from a sacristan for University masses. Katelyn was an active member of Sigma Phi Sigma; a Peer Mentor for the Integrated Studies Program; the Community Service Chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association; Alpha Lambda Delta; Tri-Alpha; Alpha Eta; and Psi Chi. She was also a member of the Honors Program and completed the “Emerging Leaders” tier of the Griffin Student Leadership Institute.
In 2022, Katelyn traveled to Baltimore, MD for Alternative Spring Break where she volunteered at a school, a community greenhouse, and a support home for women. During the trip, she traveled to Washington, DC to meet with Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Refugee Services representatives. As a member of Sigma Phi Sigma, Katelyn participated in service events like holiday gift wrapping, Thanksgiving food drives, and creating Easter baskets for the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center. through the Student Occupational Therapy Association, Katelyn collaborated with members to create service events, such as making spring greeting cards for older adults.
Katelyn will return to GMercyU in summer 2025 to complete her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026.